The Caregiver Companion

Transcription

The Caregiver
Companion
A User-Friendly Guide to Providing At-Home Care
Prepared by Attorneys of
BET TZEDEK LEGAL SERVICES
Bet Tzedek Legal Services is a non-profit,
public interest law center which provides free
legal services to low-income residents of Los
Angeles County. Bet Tzedek means “House of
Justice” in Hebrew. Bet Tzedek serves persons
of all racial, religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Bet Tzedek is an agency of the United Way
and of the Jewish Federation of Greater
Los Angeles.
www.bettzedek.org
The Caregiver Companion has been prepared by staff of
the Family Caregiver Project at Bet Tzedek Legal Services,
a service that protects the legal rights of caregivers and
their loved ones. (Bet Tzedek means House of Justice in
Hebrew.) Bet Tzedek provides free legal services to lowincome residents of Los Angeles County.
Bet Tzedek’s Family Caregiver Project provides legal
planning and advice to persons needing home care as well
as their families. The project staff represent clients in state
court and administrative hearings and make frequent
presentations on legal issues concerning caregivers.
If you or someone you know would benefit from these
services, please contact Bet Tzedek. Here’s how:
The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance
science education; improve patient access to
quality care; and strengthen the communities
where Amgen staff members live and work.
Since 1991, the Foundation has made more
than $85 million in grants to local, regional
and national non-profit organizations that
impact society in inspiring and innovative
ways. It has also supported disaster relief
efforts both domestically and internationally.
www.amgen.com/citizenship/overview.html
Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Los Angeles Office
145 South Fairfax Avenue, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-0506
San Fernando Valley Office
12821 Victory Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91606
(818) 769-0136
Online
www.bettzedek.org
Bet Tzedek Legal Services ©2007
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Janet Morris
Janet Morris has practiced in the area of elderlaw as an attorney with Bet Tzedek Legal Services since
1985. Through her Long Term Caregiver Project, Ms. Morris assists elders and their caregivers with a
variety of legal problems. She has also served as a past Director of Bet Tzedek’s Nursing Home Advocacy
Project. She has served on numerous statewide committees and as technical advisor to many projects
concerning the legal rights of elderly and incapacitated individuals. Janet is currently advising the State of
California Alzheimer’s Guidelines Committee on Legal Issues, and serves on the Board of Directors of the
Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter and is an executive board memeber of the
California Coalition for Caregivers. She has co-authored numerous articles and publications, and has
delivered hundreds of speeches in both English and Spanish. In 2005, Janet received the Caregiver of the
Year Award from AARP and KCET for her professional contributions in this area.
Kim Williams
Kim Williams, a paralegal at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, specializes in providing legal assistance to
caregivers and their families. She assists families in navigating the maze of public benefits, helps them
plan for long term care services and specializes in maximizing consumers’ In-Home Supportive Services
hours. Through legal and legislative advocacy, community partnerships and education, she develops and
promotes policies to improve the quality of life and community care options for disabled persons, older
adults and caregivers. She is also a frequent lecturer to community and professional organizations.
145 South Fairfax Avenue
Suite 200
Copyright ©2007 by Bet Tzedek Legal Services
All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. This book or portions
thereof may be reproduced with credit given to the authors and publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
Last digit indicates print number: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Co-authors: Janet R. Morris, JD and Kim E. Williams
Contributing Researcher: Stacie Hendrix, JD
Developmental Editor: Andy McPhee, HealthEdit Editorial Services
The authors and publisher have done everything possible to make this booklet accurate, up to date, and in accord with
accepted standards at the time of publication. The authors, editors, and publisher are not responsible for errors or
omissions or for consequences from application of the book, and make no warranty, expressed or implied, in regard to
the contents of the booklet.
Important Note: The Caregiver Companion is based almost exclusively on California law. It is intended for use by
California residents, although some aspects may be applicable in other states. This guide is not a substitute for the
independent judgment and skills of an attorney or other professional. If you require legal or other expert advice, please
consult a competent professional in your geographic area to supplement and verify the information contained in this guide.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Caring for a Loved One at Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
•
•
•
•
Assessing Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Home Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Hospice Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Adult Day Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2. Paying for Home Care Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
• Medicare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
i. Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
ii. Medicare Home Care Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
iii. Medicare Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
• Medi-Cal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
i. Medi-Cal Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
ii. In-Home Supportive Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
iii. Adult Day Health Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
iv. Medi-Cal Home and Community based Waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
v. Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
vi. Medi-Cal Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
vii. Medi-Cal Estate Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
• Long Term Care Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
• Worker’s Compensation Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
• Veteran’s Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3. Financial Strategies to Pay for Home Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
• Grants and Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
• Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
• Reverse Mortgages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
• California Property Tax Postponement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
• Exploring Public Benefits Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
• Selling a Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
• Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
• Veterans Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
• Handyworker Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4. How to Find a Home Care Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
• Home Health Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
• Home Care Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
• Private Home Care Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
• Community Registry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
• Licensing and Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5. Improving the Quality of Home Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
• At Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
i. Home Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
ii. Home Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
iii. Emergency Alert Response Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
iv. File of Life Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
v. Organizing Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
vi. Caregiver Education and Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
• Employee Assistance Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
• Understanding Health Care Professionals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
i. Primary Care Physicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
ii. Discharge Planner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
iii. Geriatricians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
iv. Geriatric Care Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
6. Health Care Decision Making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
• Directing Future Healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
• Advanced Health Care Directives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
• Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNR). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
• Informal Health Care Decision Making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
• Conservatorship over the Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7. Legal and Financial Decision Making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
• Durable Power of Attorney for Finances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
• Joint Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
• Representative Payee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
• Money Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
• Probate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
• Wills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
• Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
• Special Needs Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
• Conservatorship over the Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
8. Resolving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
• Family Disputes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
• Mediation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
• Problems with Home Care Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
• Using the Courts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
TABLE OF CONTENTS
9. Detecting and Reporting Elder Abuse and Neglect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
• Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
i. Spotting Abuse and Neglect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
ii. Reporting Abuse and Neglect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
iii. Elder Abuse Temporary Restraining Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
iv. Conservatorships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
v. Elder and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EDACPA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
• Scams Targeting the Elderly and Dependent Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
i. Telemarketing Scams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
ii. Home Improvement Scams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
iii. Home Equity Scams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
iv. Estate Planning Scams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
v. Identity Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
10. Supporting the Caregiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
• Family and Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
• Support Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
• Caregiver Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
• Laws and Policies that Help Caregiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
i. Family and Medical Leave Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
ii. Paid Family Leave Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
iii. Tax Deductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
iv. California Property Tax Postponement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
v. Flexible Workplace Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
• Transitions to Other Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
• Placement Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
A Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
B MSSP Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
C PACE Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
D Caregiver Resource Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
PREFACE
oes this situation sound familiar to you? Your mother’s doctor just called to tell you that she
fell and is now hospitalized. The doctor says, “She’ll be able to return home in a few days
but she’ll need someone to help her at home with cooking, cleaning, and bathing.”
D
Your mother needs help at home.
What would you do next?
How would you arrange for her care?
If you’re like most people, you don’t know much about home care. You probably don’t
know what types of home care services are available, how to pay for it, or how to ensure the
best care possible.
This guide can get you started, providing clear and concise answers to these and other
questions such as how to:
• pay for home care
• apply for public benefits
• make appropriate health care decisions
for yourself and others
• protect elders in their homes
• thrive as a caregiver
The guide is based almost exclusively on California law. Check your own state’s laws if you
live elsewhere. In addition, relevant law changes from year to year, so be sure you have the most
recent edition of this guide. Always consult local experts to supplement and verify the
information contained in this booklet. A glossary is available at Appendix A to clarify
unfamiliar terms.
Preface
CARING FOR
A LOVED ONE
AT HOME
1
1
CARING FOR
A LOVED ONE
AT HOME
We’re all caregivers at some point. We give
care to our children, spouses, friends, and
each other. For this book, though, a caregiver
is defined as someone who cares for a
disabled, ill, or elderly person. The caregiver
could be a spouse, relative, friend, or paid
professional.
Caregivers provide many types of care,
including:
• assistance with cooking, cleaning, or
managing personal or family finances
• driving to and from physician or hospital
appointments
• financial assistance to help pay
for medications and home care
Some individuals need high levels of
medical care, such as receiving injections or
being given food through a gastrointestinal
tube. Caregivers provide all of these services
and many more.
Numerous support services exist for
individuals needing care in their home. This
booklet outlines options to help a loved one
stay at home. Let’s begin by breaking down
what those needs might be and looking at the
various types of care available.
times, though, acute illnesses strike
unexpectedly, as happens with stroke or heart
attack. That’s when family members may
need to quickly step into a caregiver role.
Acute illnesses may strike
unexpectedly. That’s when family
members may need to quickly step
into a caregiver role.
ASSESSING NEEDS
Individuals with degenerative illnesses, such
as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease,
may recognize that over time, their physical
and emotional needs are destined to grow. In
such cases, caregivers are able to slowly
increase their level of care over time. At other
1 Caring for a Loved One at Home
Assessing a loved one’s needs is the first step
in deciding whether home care is appropriate
and, if so, what kinds of care are available.
Does the loved one need help shopping,
housecleaning, or getting into a bathtub
2
HOME CARE
safely? Does the person feel lonely or
isolated? Does he need constant supervision
to prevent wandering, falling, or causing
other harm?
Caregivers should talk with their loved
ones and health care professionals about
the kind of help needed.
Home care is almost always an option.
Many health care services and community
resources assist those who choose to be cared
for at home.
Homecare is almost
always an option.
COMMUNICATION
IS KEY
A person can receive the same quality of
care, and sometimes better care, at home
than in a nursing home. If a doctor
recommends nursing home placement, the
patient could choose to go home if
appropriate care can be arranged.
There are generally two choices for
someone who needs nursing home-level care
but does not wish to go to a nursing home:
The person can stay in her own home with
assistance from family members or paid care
providers, or move in with a family member
or friend willing to provide care.
Whenever possible, the decision to care for
someone at home should result from a
continuing conversation between a loved one
and family, friends, and health care
professionals. As the needs of the loved one
change, the involvement of family, friends,
and professionals may also change. Home
care should allow a person to stay safely at
home, remaining as independent as possible
for as long as possible.
Need time off from work
to care for a loved one?
Home Care Providers
The term home care refers to medical and
supportive services provided in an
individual’s home. Home health agencies,
home care agencies, private home care
workers, and hospice care workers all
provide home care services.
A loved one may need the services of skilled
care providers, such as nurses (RNs or LVNs),
physical therapists, occupational therapists,
speech therapists, or licensed social workers.
These providers can generally be found
through licensed home health agencies, and
their cost may be paid by Medicare, Medi-Cal,
long term care insurance or by private payment
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA):
This federal law requires many
employers to provide 12 weeks of
unpaid leave to a qualified employee
needing to care for a new child or an
ill family member.
• California Paid Family Leave Program:
This program gives qualified workers
up to 6 weeks of partial pay per year
if they need to take time off from
work to care for a new child or ill
family member.
3
Hospice Care
Hospice care is designed for people who are
terminally ill. If a loved one is terminally ill,
the patient’s physician can recommend
hospice care services. A doctor’s prescription
is needed to obtain services. Hospice care may
be provided at home, in a hospital or nursing
home.
Hospice workers provide comfort care, also
called palliative care, to those with a terminal
illness. Comfort care consists of pain
management and other services that keep the
patient comfortable. Hospice care includes
the services of home health aides, physicians,
nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists,
and professional counselors to help the
patient and family. Medicare and Medi-Cal
each pay for hospice care services.
Hospice care for the terminally ill
may be provided at home,
in a hospital or nursing home.
with personal funds. See Chapter 3, “Financial
Strategies to Pay for Home Care,” page 22.
Non-medical services, such as shopping,
housekeeping, cooking, transportation, and
supervision, are provided by home care
agencies. Those services may be paid by
private payment or long-term care insurance.
Keep in mind that although home care
agencies are not licensed, reputable agencies
belong to membership associations and are
accredited by peer agencies.
Private home care workers, called chore
workers, also provide at-home, non-medical
care, including housekeeping, cooking,
assistance with bathing, and so forth. These
individuals may be hired privately or through
an agency and may be paid by private payment,
Medi-Cal or long term care insurance.
ADULT DAY CARE
CENTERS
Adult day care centers provide care for
the elderly and disabled. Many centers
provide transportation to and from the
center. The loved one may go to an adult day
care center every day, a few times a week, or
only occasionally, so that the caregiver can
have some time off. A participant who
attends an adult day care center socializes
with others, eats meals, and may even receive
medical care.
When choosing a day care center, caregivers
should make sure that the center is licensed
and can accommodate the special needs of
4
• Adult Day Health Care Centers. These
centers are licensed, Medi-Cal-certified
health care facilities that provide medical,
rehabilitative, and social services for
physically and mentally impaired
individuals. These comprehensive centers
are staffed by medical personnel and
social workers. Their services are designed
to delay or prevent inappropriate nursing
home placement. They generally offer hot
meals, provide nutritional counseling,
administer medications, offer recreational
and social activities, and provide
transportation to and from the facility.
Medi-Cal and the PACE Program pay for
services at these centers.
the loved one. The center should have safety
measures in place to prevent wandering.
Many centers allow tours so caregivers can
see what participants do there. Some centers
allow potential participants to stay an entire
day to see if they like the center. Caregivers
should talk to people who use the center and
listen to what they say are the center’s benefits
and drawbacks. The loved one should like the
center, and it should be clear that it will meet
all the loved one’s needs.
There are a number of types of adult day
care centers including:
• Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers.
These centers specialize in programs for
persons with Alzheimer’s disease or
related dementias. They’re usually
equipped to handle people who wander,
are incontinent or aggressive. They offer a
supervised, structured environment and
provide support groups. These centers are
usually private pay on a sliding scale.
• Adult Day Treatment Centers. These
centers care for people with psychological
or psychiatric problems. They may accept
individuals with dementia. The centers
provide social and recreational activities,
counseling, and medication management
for problem behaviors. Medicare and
Medi-Cal may reimburse for these
services on a limited basis.
• Adult Day Care. These centers are mostly
recreational in nature. The participants are
supervised and have daily group and social
activities. They may accept someone with
early dementia but are generally not
equipped for the problems of wandering,
incontinence, or aggressive behavior. Many
local multipurpose senior service centers
provide social day care. This type of day
care is usually not covered by health
insurance, Medicare, or Medi-Cal. Adult
Day Care facilities are typically private pay
on a sliding scale and are licensed by the
Department of Social Services.
• Senior Centers. These community centers
provide activities, meals, limited health
monitoring, transportation, and legal
advice to seniors. Senior centers often
house adult day care and respite activities
and are excellent places to obtain
information on a variety of caregiving
issues. There is no charge for attending a
senior center.
5
Case Study
Albert and Brenda: What Level of Care is Best?
Albert faced a critical issue: Should he put Brenda, his wife of 42 years, in an assisted
living facility? Brenda was in the early stages of dementia and could still provide basic care
for herself, though it was becoming more difficult. Brenda occasionally became aggressive,
which made it hard for Albert to manage her and Albert was exhausted. His friends told
him to put his wife in an assisted living facility, but Albert was adamant that he find care
for Brenda at home. He just didn’t know what type of care he could or should get.
Core Issues
How to obtain additional care to keep Brenda at home.
Steps to Resolution
Albert knew that Brenda needed additional care but didn’t know how to get it. After
consulting a geriatric care manager and obtaining information from the local Caregiver
Resource Center, he decided to enroll Brenda in an Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center.
He also hired a home chore worker to help him at home. He was advised to try these two
things before deciding to place Brenda in an assisted living facility.
Follow-Up
Brenda thrived at the Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center, where she went 3 days a
week. Albert was able to connect with old friends and relax or shop while Brenda was at
the center. He also joined an Alzheimer’s support group where he learned about caregiving
strategies and resources.
When Brenda’s condition worsened, Albert hired a home care worker to attend to
Brenda’s needs while she was at home.
Key Points
• Because Albert was clear in his goals, care managers were better able to quickly focus
on how best to meet those goals.
• Brenda’s medical team was apprised of the change in her routine. Her primary care
physician worked with the Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center to monitor and
adjust her medications.
• Albert was able to care for Brenda at home because some of the stress of full-time
caregiving was relieved by different types of respite care including day care, a home
chore worker and the support group.
6
Resources
For more information on topics in this chapter, consult the following resources.
Agencies
• AAA Los Angeles (L.A. Department of Aging): (213) 252-4000 or
www.lacity.org/doa/doass1.htm
• AAA Los Angeles County: (213) 738-4004
• Access Services: (800) 883-1295, www.asila.org, disabled transportation
• CalMedicare, Medicare Information for Californians: (800) 434-0222 or
www.calmedicare.org
• Cityride, Los Angeles Department of Transportation: (Area Code 213, 310, 323, or 818)
808-RIDE (7433) or www.ladottransit.com/other/cityride
• List of California Area Agency on Aging (AAA), California Department of Aging: (800) 5102020 or www.aging.state.ca.us/html/local%20aaa/AAA_listing.html
• Medi-Cal: (800) 541-5555 or www.medi-cal.ca.gov
• National Association of Area Agencies on Aging: (800) 677-1116 (elder care locator hotline
outside of California) or www.n4a.org
• National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers: 1604 North Country Club
Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, (520) 881-8008 (main), (520) 325-7925 (fax),
www.caremanager.org or www.findacaremanager.org
Print resources
• And Thou Shalt Honor: The Caregiver’s Companion, Beth Witrogen McLeod, Rodale, 2002
• Hard Questions, Simple Answers: A Workbook to Take the Crisis Out of Caregiving, Elana
Peters, MA, Seven Locks Press, 2002
• There’s No Place Like a Nursing Home: 4 Powerful Steps That Will Change Your Life, Karen
Shoff, MSW, MSG, Invisible Ink, 2002
7
PAYING FOR
HOME CARE
SERVICES
9
2
PAYING FOR HOME
CARE SERVICES
MEDICARE
This section provides an explanation of
Medicare, Medicare HMOs, Medicare
eligibility and coverage, and Medicare appeals.
Medicare is a federal health insurance
program for persons 65 and over and also for
people with disabilities. Medicare benefits are
divided into three parts:
• Part A covers hospitalization, skilled
nursing home care, home health care, and
hospice care
• Part B helps pay for physician visits,
rehabilitation therapy, outpatient hospital
services, ambulance charges, and durable
medical equipment. Medicare usually
covers 80% of these charges, and the
recipient is responsible for the rest.
Medicare does not cover routine physical
examinations or custodial care in a
nursing home or assisted living facility.
• Part D covers prescription drugs. There
are premiums, deductibles, and copayments for this program, though some
low-income individuals may be eligible
for financial assistance.
Home care services can cost thousands of
dollars each year. Paying for these services
can be difficult, especially for those on low or
restricted incomes. There are many ways to
pay. For instance, government programs,
such as Medicare, Medi-Cal, In-Home
Supportive Services (IHSS), and Veteran’s
benefits, pay for some types of home care
services. Some long-term care insurance
policies also pay for home care. This chapter
examines average costs of care and the many
payment options available.
AVERAGE COSTS
Although residential care facilities or
nursing homes can cost between $30,000
and $100,000 a year, caring for a loved
one at home typically costs a lot less.
The cost, however, is still quite expensive
for most families.
The cost of home care services depends on
the type of services required. For example,
extensive nursing or other home health care
will cost more than most types of nonmedical services, such as cooking, cleaning or
adult day care. In 2007, a chore worker
typically costs $8 to $15 per hour. A
registered nurse from a home health agency
costs $25 or more per hour.
Fortunately, there are many programs
that pay for various home care services.
Eligibility for programs may depend on the
person’s medical needs, income, assets, and
health insurance. Medicare and Medi-Cal pay
for some home care and other medical services.
2 Paying for Home Care Services
Medicare does not cover
routine physical examinations
or custodial care in a nursing home
or assisted living facility.
Medicare Eligibility
Automatic eligibility for Medicare begins as
soon as a person turns 65 and becomes eligible
for Social Security or Railroad Retirement
benefits. An individual can also enroll in
Medicare at age 65 if a spouse or former
spouse is eligible for Medicare. Individuals of
10
All services are limited to part-time or
intermittent care, and the patient must need
skilled therapy or nursing care. The patient’s
doctor must review the patient’s condition
every 60 days to ensure that the patient still
needs skilled care.
Medicare pays for hospice and end-of-life
palliative care if the patient gets a
prescription from her doctor stating that she
is terminally ill and she specifically elects to
receive comfort care instead of curative
health care. Some doctors are unaware of this
benefit or wait too long to prescribe it.
Caregivers should ask the doctor for a
hospice care prescription if they think it will
be helpful to a loved one.
Medicare HMO
(Managed Care)
any age may be eligible for Medicare if they’ve
received Social Security Disability benefits for
two years or if they suffer from end-stage
renal disease or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Some Medicare recipients may choose to
receive benefits from a Medicare Health
Maintenance Organization, or HMO. A
Medicare HMO is a centralized plan of
healthcare that requires patients to see a
doctor within the HMO network. Medicare
HMOs usually have lower co-payments for
doctor visits and prescription drugs. Some
Medicare HMOs such as SCAN Health Plan
also offer home care and attendant care
services, as well as case management.
Medicare HMOs are required to give at least
the same health benefits as regular Medicare.
Medicare Home Health
Services
Medicare pays for home health care for
people unable to leave their homes and who
require skilled care. Skilled care is health care
provided by a professional, such as a doctor,
nurse, therapist, social worker, or counselor.
If a patient’s doctor determines that home
health care is medically necessary—for
instance, it’s needed to maintain or improve a
patient’s health—then Medicare will pay for
those services. Most home health care is
designed for people requiring physical
rehabilitation at home.
Medigap
(Medicare Supplements)
Medigap policies are private health
insurance plans designed to supplement
Medicare coverage. The policies are regulated
11
receive a Medicare Summary Notice,
explaining the reason for an unpaid bill or
denial and detailing how to appeal the
decision. For individuals who belong to a
Medicare HMO, the HMO must explain in
writing why it denied or terminated a service
or why it refused to pay for a service. The
HMO must also explain in writing how to
appeal the decision. In either case, follow the
appeal process closely. Maintain records of
all communications.
Follow the appeal process closely.
Maintain records
of all communications.
Medicare Fast-track appeals are designed
for people whose health will be seriously
injured if they don’t receive the requested
medical treatment. Fast-track appeals
may also be requested if the patient is
receiving services from a skilled nursing
facility, home health agency, or outpatient
rehabilitation facility.
A fast-track appeal decision should be
received within 72 hours. If the decision
remains unfavorable, it can be appealed again
to an independent review organization. Fasttrack appeals are designed for people enrolled
in either Medicare or Medicare HMO plans.
Fast-track appeals may also be requested for
a denial of prescription drug coverage, under
Medicare Part D.
by the government and pay some or all
Medicare co-payments and deductibles. Some
Medigap policies also cover prescription
drugs and preventive care. Medigap policies
may be costly.
Medicare Appeals
Patients have a right to appeal any
Medicare decision, including denials of
service or nonpayment of a bill. Individuals
covered in the original Medicare plan should
12
MEDI-CAL
2007, the maximum income (after income
deductions) for a single Medi-Cal applicant
was $1081 per month. For a married couple
who are both applying for Medi-Cal, the
maximum income (after income deductions)
in 2007 was $1502 per month. Medi-Cal is
also available to those with higher incomes if
they pay a share of the cost of monthly
medical expenses. However, they must still
meet the low-asset criteria.
Medi-Cal (known as Medicaid in other
states) is a health insurance program for people
with low income who are 65 or older, blind, or
disabled. Medi-Cal benefits pay 100 percent of
most medical treatment, hospitalization, skilled
nursing care, custodial nursing care, home care,
and durable medical equipment.
Individuals may receive both Medicare and
Medi-Cal. In that case, Medicare becomes the
primary health insurance and Medi-Cal the
secondary payor, covering all Medicare copayments and deductibles. If a person receives
both benefits, private Medigap insurance may
not be necessary. Let’s examine Medi-Cal
eligibility and the many services it covers.
Long Term Care Medi-Cal pays
for care in a nursing home.
Long Term Care Medi-Cal (LTC Medi-Cal)
provides benefits to patients in nursing
homes. LTC Medi-Cal eligibility requirements
for married persons is more generous than
the eligibility requirements for community
Medi-Cal. For example, in 2007, the at-home
spouse of a nursing home resident may retain
up to $101,640 in liquid assets, in addition
to the home. The term liquid assets refers to
property that can be readily converted to
cash. Bank accounts, stocks, and certain
investments are examples of liquid assets.
California law also allows the at-home
spouse to retain a monthly maintenance-needs
allowance of $2,541, in 2007, an amount
adjusted annually by a cost-of-living increase.
Medi-Cal Eligibility
Community Medi-Cal is designed to help
those who live in the community, either in
their homes or in assisted-living or boardand-care facilities. Community Medi-Cal
provides health insurance for those with low
income or limited resources.
To be eligible for Medi-Cal, an individual
must be 65 or over, blind, or disabled, and
have low income and assets. If an individual
receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
he is automatically enrolled in Medi-Cal.
Medi-Cal limits the amount of assets a
recipient can have. An individual is limited to
$2,000; a couple is limited to $3,000. Be
aware that some items aren’t counted, such
as the house in which the person lives, a car,
and a burial plot.
Even individuals who don’t receive SSI may
still be eligible for Medi-Cal if the person’s
income is near the federal poverty level. In
Medi-Cal Home Care
Services
Medi-Cal pays for more home care services
than does Medicare. Like Medicare, MediCal pays for skilled nursing care, home
health aides, medical equipment, and
physical, speech, and occupational therapy.
13
However, one of the most important benefits
of Medi-Cal coverage is that it pays for care
that keeps people in the community, such as
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and
Adult Day Health Care centers.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is
a part of the Medi-Cal program, and
provides home care to individuals who
wish to remain at home but can’t accomplish
some daily activities on their own, such as
bathing, dressing, toileting, or housecleaning.
The program also pays for protective
supervision for individuals who suffer from
dementia or mental impairments and who
need to be watched 24 hours a day, to ensure
their safety.
Home Care Services
Medi-Cal pays for:
• Chore workers through In-Home
Supportive Services Program (IHSS)
• Case management, respite care and
home modifications through the
Multipurpose Senior Services Program
(MSSP)
• Day care at an adult day health
care center
• Nursing care through the home
and community-based Medi-Cal
waiver programs
families. (For more information on hospice
care, see Chapter 1, Caring for a Loved One
at Home, page 2.)
Adult Day Health Care Centers are licensed
Medi-Cal certified health facilities that
provide medical, rehabilitative, and social
services for physically and mentally disabled
individuals. These comprehensive centers are
staffed by medical personnel and social
workers. The centers are designed to delay or
prevent inappropriate nursing home
placement and often offer basic health care
services, such as blood pressure monitoring
and medication management, as well as hot
meals, nutritional counseling, recreational
and social activities, and transportation to
and from the facilities.
Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based
Waiver Programs help people obtain services in
the community that might not otherwise be
available to them under the regular Medi-Cal
Protective supervision is designed
for individuals who suffer from
dementia or mental impairments and
need to be watched 24 hours a day.
Before IHSS services can be provided, a
professional from the program interviews the
eligible person at home and recommends a
service plan. This plan grants a specific
number of home care hours per month to the
eligible person. That number can range
anywhere from 1 hour to 283 hours a month,
depending on the applicant’s needs. The
eligible person then hires a chore worker. The
State pays the chore worker, based on the
number of hours given. In 2007, the rate in
Los Angeles County is $9.00 per hour. The
chore worker may be a family member, friend,
or paid provider.
Hospice Care: Medicare and Medi-Cal pay
for hospice care for patients and their
14
program. These services include shift nursing,
attendant care, home modifications, emergency
response systems, and case management.
Waivers are available to persons who
would otherwise require long-term care in a
nursing facility (including subacute facilities),
an intermediate care facility, or a hospital.
Waivers are designed to serve as an
alternative to institutional living and a way
for patients to stay in their homes with the
same supportive services they would receive
in an institutional setting. There is a waiting
list for some waivers.
Waiver eligibility guidelines for married
couples are more favorable than those offered
by community Medi-Cal. Waiver programs
use the same eligibility guidelines as long-term
care Medi-Cal. For example, in 2007 the well
spouse is allowed to own up to $101,640 in
liquid assets and to keep up to $2,541 in
monthly income. The ill spouse is eligible for
Medi-Cal covered services under the waiver
program. To apply, call Medical In-Home
Operations (IHO) at (916) 552-9105.
The Multi-purpose Senior Services Program
(MSSP) provides social and case management
for frail, elderly clients. The program is
designed for individuals over 65 years old
who qualify for a nursing home but want to
remain in their home. MSSP arranges for
social and health services that help the elder
stay at home for as long as possible. MSSP
caseworkers monitor elders for signs of abuse
and deterioration in health and link them
with community services.
To be eligible, the individual must:
• be 65 or older
• live within an MSSP site’s service area
• qualify for nursing home care
• be currently eligible for Medi-Cal
with no share of cost.
MSSP services include adult day care,
personal care assistance, and case
management. MSSPs also offer respite care
assistance for caregivers, transportation,
meals, social visiting, counseling, and
interpretive services.
15
There are more than 40 MSSP sites in
California. (See Appendix B, MSSP Sites,
page 85.)
Married couples are eligible for the MSSP
Institutional Deeming Waiver, which uses the
Long Term Care Medi-Cal eligibility criteria.
For example, in 2007 the well spouse may
own up to $101,650 in assets in addition to
their home and keep up to $2,541 in monthly
income. The ill spouse is eligible for MSSP
services, IHSS, and Medi-Cal.
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the
Elderly (PACE) provides comprehensive care
for elderly individuals who require nursing
home care but wish to stay at home. Health
care services include physician visits, nursing
care, home care, respite care, day care,
rehabilitation, and medication management.
To be eligible, the person must:
• be 55 or older
• require full-time nursing home care
• live in a PACE program area
Medicare and Medi-Cal pay for the
program’s benefits. PACE, a pilot program,
currently has four sites located in East Los
Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, and San
Francisco areas. (See Appendix C, PACE
Programs, page 88.)
MEDI-CAL APPEALS
To request a State Hearing, call the State
Hearing Office toll-free at (800) 9525253. Or you can put your request in
writing and mail it to:
Appeals & State Hearings
P.O. Box 18890
Los Angeles, CA 90018-0890
For legal assistance with Medi-Cal
hearings, call the Health Consumer Center
at (800) 896-3203 or visit
www.healthconsumer.org
Hearing must be filed before the deadline
printed on the notice. The state contact
number and address are listed on the notice.
When asking for a hearing, it’s important
that the person’s name, address, telephone
number, and Medi-Cal number be included,
and also a statement about why they want
the hearing.
If Medi-Cal reduces, changes, or terminates
benefits, the person can stop the reduction
or termination by asking for a hearing
with Aid Paid Pending. One must ask for
Aid Paid Pending before the effective date
of the reduction or termination. After the
person asks for Aid Paid Pending, benefits
will continue until the problem is resolved
or a judge issues a decision.
At the hearing, individuals may speak for
themselves or be represented by a lawyer,
friend, or another person. Free legal assistance
may be obtained by contacting a local legal
aid organization. The toll-free number for
Public Inquiry and Response, included on the
Medi-Cal Appeals
Individuals who don’t agree with a Medi-Cal
decision, such as a denial or reduction of
benefits, have the right to appeal. When MediCal makes a negative decision, it is required to
send a letter called a Notice of Action. The
Notice of Action explains appeal rights
including important deadlines. After a person
receives the Notice of Action, a Request for
16
heirs show that collection of the claim would
cause a substantial hardship to them.
There are only a few ways to avoid a MediCal estate claim against a home. The law
pertaining to Medi-Cal estate claims is
complicated and changes frequently. People
concerned about such claims should seek the
assistance of a knowledgeable elder-law attorney.
LONG TERM CARE
INSURANCE
Long Term Care (LTC) insurance policies
are designed to pay for home care, nursing
home care, or care in an assisted living
facility. Like any insurance policy, the covered
individual pays a monthly premium. Levels of
coverage vary from plan to plan. Some plans
cover home care services in addition to
nursing home costs; others do not. LTC
insurance policies can be expensive and must
be purchased before any illness occurs.
When considering purchasing such a policy,
one should check to ensure that the policy
covers home care and that its benefits are
adjusted to cover rising inflation. In addition,
they should seek information from
California’s Department of Insurance and the
California Partnership for Long Term Care
on how to choose the best policy. Some
employers offer LTC insurance policies to
their employees, dependents, and even
parents. Check with the employee assistance
program about these policies.
Notice of Action letter, may also be used to
find free legal assistance. Local senior centers
can also assist in presenting a case.
Medi-Cal Estate Claims
Medi-Cal does not consider a person’s home
as a resource when it determines eligibility.
That means if the individual resides in or
intends to return home in the future, MediCal can’t put a lien or make a claim against
the home. However, after the person’s death,
Medi-Cal will file a claim against the estate to
collect monies paid by Medi-Cal.
Medi-Cal can’t make a claim against an
estate if there is a living spouse, minor child,
or disabled child. Furthermore, Medi-Cal
may give up an estate claim if the person’s
WORKER’S
COMPENSATION
The Worker’s Compensation Insurance
program provides medical insurance and
17
disability benefits for people who are injured
on the job. If a claim is approved, Worker’s
Compensation will pay some home health
care, as long as it’s prescribed by a physician.
the Aid and Attendance and Homebound
programs, veterans or their spouses who need
home care may receive a stipend to pay for
personal care services at home or in a nursing
home. The veteran or spouse must provide a
doctor’s letter certifying the need for care and
must also meet certain low-income and asset
criteria. Contact the Department of Veterans
Affairs to apply.
VETERAN’S BENEFITS
Benefits are available for veterans who
served in the military for 90 days or more,
including one day during a time of war. Under
Case Study
Jim and Sue: Avoiding Nursing Home Placement
Sue is exhausted because she cares for her husband Jim 24 hours a day. Jim and Sue had
just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s
disease. Since then, his health has quickly deteriorated. Jim now needs help feeding himself,
toileting, and performing most of his daily activities. Sue wants to care for Jim at home.
Jim and Sue are in their mid-70s. They worked hard all their lives and have saved $70,000
for their retirement. They receive $2200 a month from Social Security. Jim’s medical expenses
are high, and the couple spends over half their monthly income, about $1500 per month, on
his medical expenses and home care. They are quickly spending their retirement savings.
Core Issues
How to help Jim stay at home without spending all the couple’s retirement savings and
find Sue extra help at home so she can stay healthy and continue to care for Jim.
Steps to Resolution
Sue called Bet Tzedek Legal Services for help. Jim applied for In-Home Supportive
Services (IHSS), a Medi-Cal program that pays for home care services. However, he was
denied because the couple had saved too much money. Sue wanted to find a program that
would help Jim receive the care he needed at home, instead of in a nursing home. Sue knew
that she could place Jim in a nursing home and that Long-Term Care Medi-Cal would pay
for his care, but she adamantly refused. She wanted to keep him at home.
A Bet Tzedek counselor suggested that Jim apply for the MSSP Institutional Deeming
Waiver. This program would provide a case manager to assist Sue in ordering medical
18
supplies, provide emotional support, and arrange for a visiting nurse to monitor Jim’s
condition. Based on the couple’s income and savings, they were eligible for the MSSP
program without any monthly cost to them. (The MSSP institutional deeming waiver uses
the same eligibility requirements as Long-Term Care Medi-Cal which allows the well
spouse to keep $2,541 per month in income and $101,640 in assets.) After Jim was
enrolled in the MSSP program, he would be automatically eligible for Community MediCal and In-Home Supportive Services.
Follow-Up
Jim applied for the MSSP Institutional Deeming Waiver. Bet Tzedek helped him and Sue
complete the lengthy application. In 6 weeks, Jim was approved for the program.
Jennifer, the MSSP case manager, now visits Jim and Sue every month to check on Jim’s
condition to see if he or Sue needs anything. The IHSS program gives Jim 120 hours of
home care services a month, and Medi-Cal pays for 3 days a week of adult day health care.
Now Sue is able to take breaks from caregiving to go to her support group, visit friends,
and take care of her own needs.
Key Points
• Medi-Cal pays for home care benefits.
• Alternatives to nursing homes exist. Medi-Cal has programs that offer elderly and disabled
persons supportive services so that they can stay at home and receive the care they need.
These programs include the Medi-Cal Waiver programs, IHSS, and the MSSP program.
• Be persistent in finding help. If one person says no, look for someone who says yes!
19
Resources
Agencies
• California Department of Insurance: 300 South Spring Street, South Tower, Los Angeles
90013; (800) 927-HELP (4357); www.insurance.ca.gov
• California Partnership for Long-Term Care (CPTLC): California Department of Health
Services, Mail Stop 4100, P.O. Box 997413, Sacramento 95899-7413, (916) 552-8990,
www.dhs.ca.gov/mcs/cpltc
• Department of Veterans Affairs: (800) 827-1000; www.va.gov
• Elder Law Attorney Referrals: California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR),
(800) 474-1116, www.canhr.org; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, (520) 8814005, www.naela.org
• Health Consumer Alliance: (800) 896-3203, www.healthconsumer.org
• Health Insurance Counseling Program (HICAP): (800) 834-0222, www.healthcarerights.org
• In Home Supportive Services (IHSS): (888) 944-4477
• Medi-Cal Waiver Program: In Home Operations, Department of Health Services, P.O. Box
997419, MS 4502, Sacramento 95899-7419; (916) 552-9105
• Medicare: (800) 633-4227, www.medicare.gov
• National PACE Association: 801 North Fairfax Street, #309, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703)
535-1565, www.npaonline.org
• SCAN Health Plan: (877) 452-5898, www.scanhealthplan.com
• Senior Legal Hotline: (800) 222-1753, www.seniorlegalhotline.org
Online resources
• Medicare booklet on home health care benefits:
www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10969.pdf
• 2006 version of California Partnership for Long-Term Care Comprehensive Brochure that
discusses LTC insurance and is published by CPTLC:
www.dhs.ca.gov/mcs/cpltc/PDF/Brochures/2006ComprehensiveBrochure.pdf
20
FINANCIAL
STRATEGIES
TO PAY FOR
HOME CARE
21
3
FINANCIAL
STRATEGIES TO PAY
FOR HOME CARE
on other special programs to help pay
for day care and home care in your town.
HOME EQUITY LOAN
OR LINE OF CREDIT
Sometimes Medicare, Medi-Cal, Long Term
Care insurance, Workers’ Compensation, and
Veteran’s benefits aren’t enough to pay for all
of a loved one’s home care. Additional funds
may still be needed. Here are a few tools and
ideas for finding and raising money to pay
for home care and home modifications.
When someone purchases a home, he or
she usually takes out a mortgage to help
finance the purchase. The difference between
the amount the person owes and the amount
the home is worth (its value on the market)
is called the equity.
After equity has built up in a home, lenders
may offer additional loans against the home
that allows the owners to draw a lump sum of
money based on the equity. The lump sum is
then paid back in monthly installments. These
kinds of loans are called home equity loans.
Borrowing against equity can prove useful
for homeowners who want to make home
improvements or pay costly medical bills.
On the other hand, home equity loans can
be more expensive than they’re worth.
Home equity loans have fees similar to
first-mortgage fees, in which the amount
borrowed is based on equity and monthly
income. Lenders offer varying interest rates
for home equity loans, so shopping around
makes sense to find the best deal.
REDUCING YOUR
EXPENSES
Some families choose to pay for home care
privately, using retirement savings or working
two jobs. To save money and reduce a loved
one’s expenses, families may enroll in their
utility company’s reduced rates programs for
seniors or disabled persons. Local colleges
may offer cosmetic or basic health care
services by students at a reduced rate. Local
senior centers and Area Agency on Aging
(AAAs) have information on programs such
as food banks, free medications, home
delivered meals, and handyman services.
GRANTS AND LOANS
Some community organizations, such as
local chapters of Cancer Care, the Alzheimer’s
Association and the Los Angeles Caregiver
Resource Center, provide funding to help
pay for home care services. Sometimes these
agencies offer one-time grants to help pay
for daycare, home care, or respite care.
The Jewish Free Loan Association assists
persons of all faiths by offering interest-free
loans for medical and home care expenses.
The local AAA office will have information
3 Financial Strategies to Pay for Home Care
Borrowing against equity
can prove useful for homeowners
who want to make
home improvements or
pay for costly home care.
Home equity lines of credit are also loans,
but usually instead of one lump payment,
you are able to take out smaller amounts
22
over time. Home equity lines of credit are
treated like a separate account and allow the
borrower to either write checks or use a
credit card to access the loan. They are also
paid back in monthly installments.
If you receive SSI or Medi-Cal, consult with
a legal aid agency before you sign paperwork
for a home equity loan as the loan may affect
your benefits.
REVERSE MORTGAGES
A reverse mortgage uses equity from the
home to pay the borrower a lump sum
or monthly amount. In a reverse mortgage,
the borrower must be over 62 years old and
have paid off or almost paid off his or her
home mortgage.
The loan needn’t be paid back as long as
the borrower lives in the home. If the home is
sold, the borrower then pays back the loan
with proceeds from the sale. If the borrower
dies while living in the home, the estate
repays the loan.
Money received from a lender can usually
be used for any purpose. Reverse mortgages
are more expensive than other types of loans
because the initial fees are higher and the
loan interest builds up over time. Individuals
interested in obtaining a reverse mortgage
should make sure to shop around and to
borrow only from trustworthy sources.
If a person receives Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) or Medi-Cal, income from a
reverse mortgage may affect benefits. Consult
an attorney or a legal aid agency before
signing any paperwork for a reverse mortgage.
CALIFORNIA PROPERTY
TAX POSTPONEMENT
PROGRAM
Reverse mortgages are
more expensive than other types
of loans because the initial fees
are higher and the loan interest
builds up over time.
California Property Tax Postponement
Program allows individuals to postpone
paying some or all of their property taxes
23
an elder law attorney for advice about how
to best spend down money and assets to
qualify for Medi-Cal benefits. Individuals
may be disqualified from receiving Medi-Cal
benefits for awhile if they give money as gifts
or give away assets to meet the asset
qualifications under Medi-Cal. The relevant
law is complicated; no one should give
money or property as gifts without first
consulting an elder law attorney.
SELLING A HOME
Many older adults have paid off their
mortgages and own their homes free and
clear. Selling a home or downsizing to a
smaller house or condominium may make
sense so that the money left over can be used
to pay for home care expenses or assistedliving or retirement communities. Some
people consider selling their homes if they
intend to move in with their children.
Selling a home may be an appropriate way
to convert an asset into cash, and have
enough money to pay for home care. Anyone
considering whether to sell a home should
consult an elder law attorney. Selling a home
may have tax consequences and will affect
Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income
(SSI), and other government benefits.
until they move, sell the home, or die. To be
eligible, a borrower must be at least 62 years
old, blind or disabled, and have an income
less than $24,000 per year. The person must
own and occupy the property as their
principal residence. This can be an effective
way of reducing living expenses.
The State Controller’s office handles all
claims for property tax postponement. To
learn more about property tax postponement
or to find appropriate application forms,
contact the California State Controller at
(800) 952-5661 or call the local tax
collector’s office.
SUPPLEMENTAL
SECURITY INCOME
(SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a
federal Social Security program that gives
additional income to seniors and disabled
people who live below the poverty line. In
2007, if a single individual’s income is less
EXPLORING PUBLIC
BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY
Even if a loved one doesn’t qualify for
Medi-Cal, individuals may want to consult
24
(HISA) grants offer money to construct
housing or adapt current housing to meet the
needs of disabled veterans. Grants are limited
to veterans who need the improvements
or alterations to gain access to their homes
or critical areas within their homes such as
bathrooms. Grant amounts depend on the
veteran’s disability and whether or not the
disability is due to a service-connected injury.
The VA also offers home care benefits
through the Aid and Attendance program
and pension benefits to veterans who served
on active duty for at least 90 days including
one day during wartime. Veterans must have
been other than dishonorably discharged,
disabled or aged 65 or older, and be low
income. Contact the VA at (800) 827-1000
for more information on these benefits.
than $856 per month, SSI will supplement
their income to bring it up to that amount.
A married couple is eligible if their combined
income is below $1,501.
The rates increase every year. There are also
resource (asset) limits in this program. A
single individual can have no more than
$2,000 in assets and a couple can have no
more than $3,000 in assets. A house, car, and
burial insurance policies are not counted
toward resource limits.
People who are accepted for SSI benefits
are automatically eligible for and enrolled in
Medi-Cal. An application may be obtained at
a local Social Security office or by calling
(800) 772-1213.
CAPI
The Cash Assistance Program for
Immigrants (CAPI) is a state program that
provides cash assistance to aged, blind, or
disabled immigrants who have legal resident
status. Qualified immigrants are eligible if
they meet income and resource requirements.
CAPI is designed for immigrants who were
or would be on SSI except for the federal
citizenship requirement. Homebound
applicants can receive information and
application by calling the Department of
Public Social Services (DPSS) Central HELP
Line at (877) 481-1044.
HANDYWORKER
PROGRAM
The Handyworker Program provides free
minor repairs to the homes of persons over
62 years old or disabled individuals who
can’t afford to make repairs on their own.
The service is fully funded by the City of Los
Angeles Department of Housing. Individuals
must own and live in their own homes within
the City of Los Angeles or within limited
parts of Los Angeles County.
The repairs may include painting,
installation of wheelchair ramps, debris
removal, installation of windows and door
locks, and other repairs as approved. Check
with your city or Area Agency on Aging to
see if they have a similar program.
VETERANS BENEFITS
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers
several programs to help veterans pay for
living expenses or home care and provide
housing access for disabled vets. The Home
Improvement and Structural Alterations
25
Resources
Agencies
• AARP’s Reverse Mortgage program: (800) 209-8085
• Cancer Care: (800) 813-4673, www.cancercare.org
• Elder Law Attorney Referrals: California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR),
(800) 474-1116, www.canhr.org; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, (520) 881-4005,
www.naela.org
• Handyworker program, City of Los Angeles: (213) 808-8803 or (213) 808-8974 (Spanish)
• Jewish Free Loan Association: (323) 761-8830, www.jfla.org
• Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center: 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
90089-0191; (800) 540-4442; http://geroweb.usc.edu/lacrc
• Meals on Wheels: www.mowaa.org
Online resources
• AARP’s Reverse Mortgage Website: www.aarp.org/revmort
• Area Agency on Aging: www.n4a.org
• National Center for Home Equity Conversion: www.reverse.org
• Property Tax Postponement Website: www.sco.ca.gov/col/taxinfo
• Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov for information about reverse mortgages
26
HOW TO FIND
A HOME CARE
WORKER
27
4
HOW TO FIND
A HOME CARE
WORKER
When a decision has been made to keep a
loved one at home, finding a home care
worker can be a challenge. Some people use
an agency to hire a home care worker. Others
find the worker themselves.
HIRING THROUGH
AGENCIES
There are two kinds of home health care
agencies: home health agencies and home
care agencies. They vary significantly in the
kinds of services they supply. Both types of
agencies act as the employer of the home care
worker and pay taxes, insurance, and
workers’ compensation for their employees.
Home Health Agencies
services may include assistance with
shopping, housekeeping, cooking, selfadministered medications, transportation,
ambulation, bathing, personal hygiene, and
supervision.
Home care agencies are not licensed by the
state. They recruit, train, and supervise
workers and are responsible for the quality of
the care their employees provide. Home care
agencies place a provider in the home for an
hourly fee. These agencies should complete a
criminal screening for each worker. The
workers may be bonded. The term bonding
refers to a kind of insurance policy that
compensates for theft or loss caused by the
worker. The hourly rates range from $10.00
to $16.00 per hour (sometimes more),
depending on the skill of the worker and the
Home health agencies provide skilled
medical providers, including nurses (RNs and
LVNs), occupational therapists, physical
therapists, and other medical personnel.
Skilled medical care includes administering
oral medications, injecting medications, and
changing bandages or catheters, among many
other skills. Because the providers are highly
skilled, the agency must be licensed by
California’s Department of Health Services.
Payments for services provided by home
health agencies may be covered by Medicare,
Medi-Cal, or LTC insurance.
Home Care Agencies
In contrast, home care agencies provide
non-medical service providers, such as
homemakers and chore workers. Their
4 How to Find a Home Care Worker
28
services required. Services provided by a home
care agency are usually paid for privately or
covered by Long Term Care insurance.
TIPS FOR HIRING
PRIVATE HOME CARE
WORKERS
Choosing an Agency
• Give yourself time to find a qualified
individual. Review their experience
level, talk to references, and discuss
your loved one’s particular needs with
the worker. Make sure to discuss all
of the home care needs and whether
the worker is willing and able to help
with them.
When choosing a home health agency or
home care agency, caregivers and patients
may call their local Area Agency on Aging
(AAA) or a Regional Center for people with
developmental disabilities for referrals. In
addition, the family physician, a discharge
planner, friends and relatives may provide
referrals to respected agencies.
• Ask friends or relatives if they can
recommend a reliable individual.
Churches, synagogues, and
Independent Living Centers are good
places to advertise for home care
workers. Contact the local Area
Agency on Aging and ask for referrals.
PRIVATE HOME CARE
WORKERS
Instead of hiring a worker through an
agency, home care workers can be hired
privately. Private home care workers
advertise their services through community
registries, newspapers, senior centers, and
AAAs, and are independent from government
or corporate oversight.
Individuals who hire private workers
become the employer and therefore must
follow all state and federal labor laws, tax
laws, and insurance laws such as workers’
compensation. Some homeowner’s insurance
policies cover private home care workers in
case of injury. People who hire private
workers should consult an accountant about
withholding taxes for the home care worker.
• Contact the Department of Nursing or
Gerontology at your local college to
see if they have a list of students who
want to work as home care workers.
Local senior centers and community
registries also carry listings of people
looking for work as a home care
worker.
• Carefully screen all applicants.
Remember that home care workers
have access to your loved one’s home,
personal information, and possessions.
Individuals who hire private workers
become the employer
and therefore must follow all state
and federal labor laws,
tax laws, and insurance laws.
29
LICENSING AND
CERTIFICATION
Community Registries
A community registry can be used to locate
private home care workers. A community
registry is a list of private home care workers
looking for employment. For-profit and nonprofit agencies might also offer registry
listings. Community registries are not
licensed and may or may not have conducted
background checks or trained their workers.
Caregivers should remember to ask the
registry if its workers are required to
complete criminal background checks or
health care training. If a caregiver or patient
decides to hire a care worker through a
registry, they become the employer and must
follow all state and federal labor laws, tax
laws, and insurance laws. Contact the local
AAA for lists of registries.
Before hiring any agency or individual,
caregivers should thoroughly check the
agency’s or individual’s credentials. For home
health agencies or a certified home health aide,
the Department of Health Services can
determine whether the agency’s or individual’s
license or certification is current and if there
are any complaints on file.
If the agency or individual doesn’t need a
license, potential employers can still research
credentials, such as educational degrees or
certificates, and check peer and client
references and membership in health or home
care associations. The local Better Business
Bureau can help determine whether there have
been complaints against an agency or registry.
Resources
Agencies
• Department of Health Services, licensing division: (916) 445-4171, www.dhs.ca.gov/cvl
• Los Angeles area senior services: www.la4seniors.com (available in six languages)
• Los Angeles Area Agency on Aging: (213) 252-4000
• Eldercare Locator: (800) 677-1116, www.eldercare.gov
30
IMPROVING
THE QUALITY
OF HOME CARE
31
5
IMPROVING
THE QUALITY
OF HOME CARE
Home Secure
The Home Secure program offers free home
assessment and home modifications to lowincome seniors and disabled individuals living
in the City of Los Angeles. The program is
offered to homeowners and tenants.
Home Secure will assess a home and then
modify it to make it safer. They will install
grab bars, shower hoses, locks, smoke alarms,
nightlights, and other hardware. Case
managers and other elder care professionals
may also perform home assessments to ensure
that a loved one’s home is as safe as possible.
This chapter examines what caregivers and
patients need to know to improve the quality
of home care, including steps to take at
home, understanding the various members of
the health care team, what community
resources are available, and determining
whether a home care agency or private home
care workers make the most sense.
AT HOME
Modifying a home to make it safe, making
sure important information is readily at
hand, managing money, getting the right
training, and knowing how to obtain needed
services—these are all essential tasks for
ensuring a high quality of home care.
Home safety precautions
Home safety precautions are critical for
persons who wander. Sometimes persons with
dementia may get lost or wander into unsafe
environments. Individuals who have dementia
should be enrolled in the Alzheimer’s
Association Safe Return Program, a
nationwide identification system designed
to assist in the safe return of people who
become lost when wandering.
Home Modifications
Home modifications can make a loved
one’s home safe and free from obstacles. Here
are some tips for making sure a home is safe.
• Check the home for slippery floor
surfaces, clutter, and other safety hazards.
Home safety precautions
are critical
for persons who wander.
• Make sure the home is equipped with the
necessary number of smoke detectors and
that they’re located in the proper
locations for that particular home.
To keep home exits secure, deadbolt or
slide-bolt locks should be installed on exterior
doors, to limit access to potentially dangerous
areas. Alarms that ring when the door opens
should be installed on exterior doors.
Let neighbors know when a loved one is
at risk for wandering.
• Install a sufficient number of fire
extinguishers, and make sure that they’re
handy.
• Install night lights and grab bars in the
bathrooms.
5 Improving the Quality of Home Care
32
Information and Referral
Services
California’s Caregiver Resource Centers,
Area Agency on Aging (AAAs), senior
centers, and community mental health centers
all offer toll-free numbers to obtain referrals
to community resources.
Emergency Alert Response
Systems
An emergency alert response system, such
as Lifeline, can be critical in an emergency.
These alert systems offer individuals and
caregivers a fast, easy way to call for help.
Lifeline, for instance, offers a pendant with
a button that, when pressed, alerts Lifeline
responders, who can then call an ambulance.
The File of Life card, shown here, can save valuable seconds in an
emergency. The local AAA has information on how to obtain a File
of Life card. Or visit www.folife.org
Organizing Documents
Collecting and organizing important health
care and financial documents can ensure that
a loved one or caregiver can find critical
information when needed. Keep a folder
with the names and contact information
for a loved one’s doctors, attorney, financial
advisor, and nearby family and friends, as
well as personal information, such as the
Social Security number, driver’s license
number, and insurance information.
File of Life Card
The File of Life Card lists important
medical information about a loved one for
quick reference in case of emergency. The
card, kept in a red plastic sleeve labeled File
of Life, lists the patient’s name, emergency
medical contact, insurance policy, Social
Security number, health problems,
medications and their dosages, allergies,
recent surgery, religion, and advance directive.
The card is kept in a sleeve which attaches
to the front of the refrigerator. (A wallet card
is also available.) Emergency medical
personnel have been trained to look for this
form. The card’s visibility and readability
ensure that they can find pertinent health
information quickly when responding to
a call, especially if the patient is confused,
frightened, or unable to offer assistance
or a clear history.
Caregiver Education
and Training
Education and training of the caregiver is
essential to keep a loved one healthy and also
to prevent injuries. Caregivers should consult
with their loved one’s doctors, nurses, and
therapists for instruction on medical care
pertinent to his condition. Caregiver support
groups also provide training and support. See
Chapter 10, Supporting the Caregiver, page 70.
33
KEEP A FILE OF
IMPORTANT
DOCUMENTS,
SUCH AS:
Primary Care Physicians
Primary care physicians play an important
role in caregiving. They’re responsible for
monitoring their patients’ health and making
sure they’re receiving the proper amount and
level of care. It is important that caregivers
and patients communicate with their doctor
as often as necessary, especially to report
changes in a loved one’s condition. The
doctor may be a physician specializing in
internal medicine, geriatrics, cardiology, or
family practice, and should be someone with
experience handling the loved one’s disability
or illness.
• advance directives
• powers of attorney
• marriage, birth, and death certificates
• wills
• medical insurance benefits as well as
all other insurance documents
• financial accounts
• property ownership documents.
Primary care physicians
are responsible for monitoring
their patients’ health and
making sure they’re receiving
the proper amount and level of care.
Employee Assistance
Programs
Employee assistance programs (EAPs)
are offered by some workplaces to assist
their employees who are caregivers or
patients. Types of assistance vary widely
and may include counseling for personal
issues. Some retirement programs offer
assistance for retirees who need at-home
care. The human resources department can
determine whether a patient or caregiver
qualifies for EAP benefits.
Patients admitted to a hospital and who
wish to return home should clearly express
those wishes to the primary care physician.
The doctor and his staff may not be familiar
with all types of in-home care, community
services, and public benefits available for
home care patients. This booklet may be used
to help educate the physician about available
home care options and to help him complete
a home care plan.
If the doctor believes a patient lacks the
support needed to stay at home, a decision
may be made to discharge the patient to a
nursing home. If the doctor decides not to
allow a patient to return home, the patient
still has the right to return home against the
UNDERSTANDING
HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONALS
To obtain the highest quality of care,
caregivers and patients should understand
the role each professional plays in the health
care system.
34
and can set up in-home care services,
rehabilitative care, or outpatient services.
Discussions with the hospital discharge
planner generally start as soon as a patient
enters a hospital. Doing so ensures that
discharge planning is completed by the time
the loved one is discharged. The loved one
should be involved in the discharge process
as much as possible.
Discharge planners will be able to answer
questions about the various types of services
available and their quality and cost. The
patient or caregiver should tell the discharge
planner whether they wish to return home or
go to a nursing home, so that proper
arrangements can be made.
Geriatricians
Geriatricians are doctors who specialize in
the medical needs of older adults, just as
pediatricians specialize in the medical needs
of children. Geriatricians are experts in
dealing with multiple medical problems and
chronic illnesses. They focus on gaining
optimal quality of life and functional ability
for their patients.
Geriatricians typically use a holistic approach
that addresses the physical, psychological, and
social needs of the patient and family. They
work closely with other health care
professionals and organizations, as well as the
patient and family, and treat the family as key
members of the health care team.
Geriatricians also scrutinize the often large
number of medications that older adults take,
to ensure that the medications are
appropriate and are not causing serious side
effects. Older adults are often treated by a
doctor’s advice. In such cases, patients are
required to sign an Against Medical Advice
form. This form acknowledges that the
patient has decided to be discharged even
though she has been told that doing so may
cause mental or physical harm.
Discharge Planners
A discharge planner is a professional
employed by a hospital to aid in the
transition phase from hospital care to other
types of medical care. The discharge planner
can arrange admittance to a nursing home
35
Specialists may prescribe
medications to treat certain
disorders but may not be fully aware
of medications prescribed
by other specialists.
The geriatrician will also assess the patient
for pain and mood disorders, such as
depression and chronic pain, which are
common among older adults. The geriatrician
may perform a full geriatric assessment on
new patients. A geriatric assessment is a
comprehensive evaluation performed by a
multidisciplinary team. The assessment team
may consist of specialist physicians, social
workers, physical therapists, occupational
therapists, dieticians, psychologists,
pharmacists, and geriatric nurse practitioners.
The team creates a care plan designed to
optimize an older person’s ability to enjoy
good health, improve overall quality of life,
reduce the need for hospitalization or
institutionalization, and enable the individual
to live independently for as long as possible.
The care plan identifies problems and makes
specific recommendations for improving the
loved one’s condition.
Patients or caregivers can request a geriatric
assessment from the primary care physician or
geriatrician. In addition, many larger hospitals,
university health centers, and VA medical
centers have geriatric assessment units.
variety of specialists, such as cardiologists,
endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, and
others. These specialists may prescribe
medications to treat certain disorders but
may not be fully aware of medications
prescribed by other specialists.
A geriatrician can evaluate all medications
and determine, as a whole, how they
interact. Many times, medications can be
adjusted with significant improvements in
the patient’s well-being.
Geriatric Care Managers
Care managers typically have a background
in counseling, social work, or a related health
care field. A care manager assesses the loved
one’s needs and works with the caregiver to
36
create, implement, and monitor a care plan
designed to meet those needs. Care managers
may provide conflict resolution for family
caregivers and intervene in a crisis.
Care managers can be hired privately. They
generally charge anywhere from $30 to $150
per hour. A person on Medi-Cal may ask for
a care manager through the Multi-Purpose
Senior Services Program (MSSP) or PACE
program. The Integrated Care Management
Program (ICMP) also provides care managers
for elderly or disabled persons at no cost to
help them through times of crisis. Contact
the local AAA for information.
Free and low-cost care management may be
found through hospitals, senior centers,
mental health programs, home health
agencies, and social service agencies, such as
Jewish Family Services, Catholic Charities,
and Adult Protective Services. In addition,
some Medicare HMOs offer care
management services. Care management may
be especially helpful when family members
live far from the patient needing care.
Care managers should be independent and
objective. Before hiring a care manager,
caregivers should ensure that they fully
understand the care manager’s fees including
whether there is a charge for phone calls. Find
out whether the care manager seems
knowledgeable about the loved one’s particular
condition and physical and emotional needs.
WHEN CHOOSING
A CARE MANAGER,
IT IS IMPORTANT
THAT THE PERSON:
• can provide creative planning and
assessment
• can intercede in emergencies
• will listen and respond well to the
loved one’s and caregiver’s concerns
• be familiar with the services the loved
one needs.
Research Studies
Research studies are essential to improving
knowledge and understanding about medical
conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and
other dementias. People volunteer to
participate in research studies for many
different reasons including the opportunity to
gain early access to new treatments, to access
expert medical care for the condition studied
and to help others by contributing to medical
research. Before agreeing to participate in a
study it is important that a person fully
understand the potential benefits and risks.
Research studies are often conducted at
universities and medical schools, but there
are also private companies that conduct
research. To find out about local research
studies, visit The U.S. National Institutes of
Health website at www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Care managers should be
independent and objective.
37
Resources
Agencies
• AAA Information Services Hotline: (800) 510-2020
• Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program: (888) 572-8566 or www.alz.org/safereturn
• American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Physician Referral Service: aids in locating physicians
experienced in caring for older adults; participating physicians are members of AGS
and are board-certified in internal medicine or family practice; (800) 563-4916,
www.healthinaging.org/public_education/physician_referral.php
• Eldercare Locator: (800) 677-1116 or www.eldercare.gov
• Home Secure Program: (818) 762-5892 or (323) 937-5855
• Home Secure Program: www.homemods.org
• National Association for Home Care: www.nahc.org.
• National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, 1604 North Country Club
Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, (520) 881-8008
• Senior Care Network Resource Center: (800) 664-4664
• Southern California 211 line: Dial 211 in Southern California for referrals to community
resources including health care services, emergency housing and free meals
Print resources
• The Portable Caregiver: 8 Essential Guidebooks for Elder Care, Mary Trabert and Deborah
Morris, www.portablecaregiver.com/products.asp
• Eldercare at Home: A Step-by-Step Resource for Caring for an Older Person at Home, AGS
Foundation for Health and Aging, www.healthinaging.org
• Smoke Detectors Save Lives: www.fire.ca.gov/php/education_homeowner.php
• The Eldercare Handbook, Stella Mora Henry, R.N., Collins. 2006.
Online
• WebMD Physician Directory: http://doctor.webmd.com/physician_finder
Other
• Lifeline: (800) 380-3111, www.lifelinesys.com
38
HEALTH CARE
DECISION
MAKING
39
6
HEALTH CARE
DECISION
MAKING
3. A Do Not Resuscitate order allows an
individual to specify that he does not
wish to receive emergency resuscitative
measures, such as cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR).
The first two forms are collectively called
advanced health care directives, because they
allow individuals to express their wishes at
present for the level of health care they want
in the future. The third allows the individual
to refuse medical care. Let’s take a look at
these methods.
Every adult has the right to make decisions
about his or her own health care. That
includes the right to authorize or refuse
medical treatment. Problems may arise,
however, when someone becomes suddenly
incapacitated due to a stroke, accident,
dementia, or another condition. A person
is considered incapacitated if she lacks
the mental functioning to understand
her condition, to understand the options
for treatment and their consequences,
and to make an informed decision about
medical care.
No one knows when or if they’ll become
incapacitated, so it’s important for people to
plan for it—just in case—by making sure that
their wishes are known and will be followed
in case they’re unable to speak for
themselves. This chapter explains how to do
just that.
Advanced health care directives
allow individuals to express their
wishes at present for the level of
health care they want in the future.
Advanced Health Care
Directives
In California, any adult of sound mind can
create a California Power of Attorney for
Health Care and a Health Care Instruction.
These documents are generally combined into
one, easy-to-follow form called an Advanced
Health Care Directive.
The combined document allows individuals
to appoint a trusted relative or friend to act as
agent and speak on their behalf if they become
incapacitated. In such cases, the agent is
allowed to make all health care decisions. As
the legal representative, the agent is the only
person other than the patient who can legally
authorize medical treatment. An agent can
also refuse medical treatment, including life
support, nutrition, and hydration. Some forms
also allow individuals to express wishes about
organ donation and funeral arrangements.
DIRECTING FUTURE
HEALTH CARE
In California, there are three legal ways for
people to express their wishes about future
medical care:
1. A Power of Attorney for Health Care
allows an individual to appoint an agent
to make health care decisions on his
behalf if he becomes incapacitated.
2. A Health Care Instruction allows an
individual to list specific instructions
about his future health care, such as
whether he wants life support, a feeding
tube, or other medical treatments.
6 Health Care Decision Making
40
Appointing an Agent
In the Power of Attorney for Health Care
form, an individual can appoint an agent to
make health care decisions for her. The agent
may be a family member, friend, or another
person. Individuals should make sure to select
someone they feel comfortable with, someone
they can trust to listen to their wishes and
exercise them appropriately. An agent should
be someone the patient can talk to in-depth
about her wishes for future health care,
especially about whether she wants to accept
or refuse certain life-sustaining measures.
The agent cannot be an individual’s health
care provider or an owner or employee of a
residential care facility. One or two alternate
agents may be selected, in case the primary
agent is unable or unwilling to act.
Giving Your Agent Specific Health
Care Instructions
Although an agent is authorized to accept
or refuse medical treatment on an individual’s
behalf, some decisions agents face can be
extremely difficult. The optional Health Care
Instruction section of the Advanced Health
Care Directive allows individuals to
document specific instructions about lifesupport measures, end-of-life care, or any
other type of treatment. In that section,
individuals can instruct their agents and
medical providers to allow life-support
treatments, such as being placed on a
ventilator or being given artificial nutrition
and hydration through a feeding tube. They
can also specify that they don’t want those
types of treatments, or even that they want
one but not the other.
DO-IT-YOURSELF
ADVANCED HEALTH
CARE DIRECTIVES
Individuals do not need to consult an
attorney to create an advanced health care
directive. Bet Tzedek and other
organizations have created easy-to-follow
forms that individuals can complete on
their own. If the person’s desires are
reasonably straightforward, this form is
generally adequate. For more complex
desires, an attorney should be consulted.
For do-it-yourself advanced health care
directives, contact Bet Tzedek Legal
Services at (323) 939-0506 or visit
www.bettzedek.org
41
In addition to written instructions,
individuals should talk about their desires
with their agent and their doctor. Discussing
health care decisions now, while the
individual is able to explain his wishes, can
give the agent a greater sense of comfort
about making difficult decisions later.
original. The documents may also be
registered with the California Secretary
of State by calling (916) 653-3984.
Health Care Instruction Only
A Health Care Instruction allows
individuals to make their wishes known
directly to their physician if they don’t have
an agent or if their agent dies before them.
Health Care Instructions describe what type
of health care the individual wants including
whether to withhold or withdraw care. A
physician or hospital is obligated to following
the individual’s wishes as written in the
Health Care Instruction form.
Individuals who have an Advanced Health
Care Directive should prepare a wallet card
that lists the telephone number of the agent
and keep the card with them at all times.
Under California law, a copy of an
advanced directive or DNR order is
just as valid as the original.
Do Not Resuscitate
(DNR) Orders
A DNR order instructs health care providers
to withhold CPR or other lifesaving measures
if the individual’s heart or breathing stops. The
individual or his agent can sign a DNR order
in a hospital or nursing home.
For persons who live at home and who do
not wish to be resuscitated, an Emergency Do
Not Resuscitate (EDNR) form is required.
This form indicates that the individual
doesn’t want paramedics or other emergency
medical services (EMS) personnel to revive
him if his heart or breathing stops.
Individuals who sign an EDNR form should
wear a special Medic Alert bracelet.
Under California law an EDNR order must
also be signed by the treating physician. The
form is available from the California Medical
Association and does not need to be
witnessed or notarized. A family member or
in-home care provider must show the
approved EDNR or the Medic Alert bracelet
to EMS personnel when they arrive.
Completing the Forms
In California, an advance directive must be
signed, dated and witnessed. The individual
signing the document must be legally
competent to understand the document. Two
witnesses or a notary must witness the
signing. The witnesses cannot be a family
member, the appointed agent, a health care
provider, or an owner or employee of a
residential care facility. If the individual lives
in the nursing home, the long term care
ombudsman must be one of the witnesses.
After a person has completed an advanced
health care directive, copies of the forms
should be distributed to family members, the
agent, doctors, and hospital. Under
California law, a copy is just as valid as the
42
When the Forms Take Effect
A family member or friend can ask, or
petition, a court to be allowed to make
particular health care decisions for the
patient or to act as the patient’s conservator.
Under California law, an Advanced Health
Care Directive takes effect when a person
becomes incapacitated. The primary care
physician decides when an individual has lost
the capacity to make health care decisions,
unless the person’s document states
otherwise. Individuals who want their agent
to assume immediate authority for making all
health care decisions should write on the
form that the Advanced Health Care
Directive be effective immediately, rather
than when the person loses capacity. The
DNR and EDNR forms are binding as soon
as they’re completed.
The California Advanced Health Care
Directive and EDNR forms have no expiration
date. They can be revoked at any time as long
as the individual retains the mental capacity to
make those decisions. Signing a new form
usually revokes a prior document.
Conservatorship
If a person lacks capacity to make health
care decisions and is unlikely to regain
capacity in the near future, a family member,
friend, or professional conservator may
petition a court for conservatorship over the
person. Conservatorship is a process in which
a judge appoints a person (the conservator) to
make all legal, financial, or health care
decisions for another person (the conservatee).
A conservatorship over the person allows the
conservator to manage a person’s personal
care, such as where the person lives, and health
care decisions including whether to provide or
withdraw life-sustaining measures. This type of
conservatorship is necessary when individuals
can no longer understand their illness or
treatment choices. Anyone may petition a court
for a conservatorship. A doctor must determine
that the conservatee lacks the capacity to make
informed decisions about her medical condition
and personal care.
A petition for conservatorship over the person
generally must explain why a loved one lacks
capacity, the reasons for a conservatorship, and
the areas the conservatorship covers. A family
member or friend desiring a conservatorship
should consult an attorney. Some courts may
have self-help clinics to assist people without
an attorney.
A conservatorship of the estate, on the
other hand, allows a conservator to manage
all financial and legal matters for a person.
INFORMAL HEALTH
CARE DECISION
MAKING
According to California law, if there is no
legally appointed agent, the nearest relative of
an incapacitated person may make health care
decisions for that person. Under the law,
however, the relative has no formal authority
to make those decisions. As a result, health
care providers are often reluctant to accept the
health care decisions of the nearest relative
unless the appropriate treatment is obvious or
the entire family agrees with the decision.
Patients in a hospital can verbally appoint a
surrogate to make decisions for them but only
for medical decisions during the hospital stay.
43
Depending on the person’s needs, a court
may appoint a conservator of the person,
estate, or both.
agent, decide who will make decisions
for them, and tell the agent what types
of decisions to make, such as whether
to provide artificial life-support. In short,
the patient is in control.
For individuals who have never completed
powers of attorney for health care and then
become incapacitated, a conservatorship may
be necessary. In a conservatorship, the judge
appoints a conservator and decides what
types of decisions the conservator can make.
The conservator may possess less knowledge
about the patient’s personal values and
desires than they would if the patient had
discussed his wishes in advance and
completed an Advanced Health Care
Directive. Conservatorships are costly
and take more than two months to
complete, although an emergency temporary
conservatorship can be completed
within days.
Who Can be a Conservator
Sometimes it can be difficult to locate
a friend or relative who is able and willing
to serve as a conservator. If an individual
needs a conservatorship but has no one
willing to petition the court, the Office
of the Public Guardian can act as conservator
for an incapacitated person. There are also
private professional conservators who can
petition the court and act as conservator.
The Public Guardian and private professional
conservators charge fees for their services.
Conservatorships
vs. Advanced Health
Care Directives
Individuals who complete powers of
attorney for health care can select their own
44
Resources
Agencies
• Bet Tzedek Legal Services: (323) 939-0506, www.bettzedek.org/
• California Medical Association (for EDNR form and a special Medic Alert bracelet):
(800) 882-1-CMA (262), www.cmanet.org/
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA): 1604 North Country Club Road,
Tucson, AZ 85716, (520) 881-4005, www.naela.com/
• Office of the Public Guardian of Los Angeles: (213) 974-0515
• Professional Fiduciary Association of California: (866) 886-7322, www.pfac-pro.org
Print Resources
• Your Way: a helpful guide for discussing and choosing future health care, Healthcare and
Elder Law Programs Corporation (HELP) of Torrance, CA, (310) 533-1996,
www.help4srs.org
• California Probate Code Section 4600 and following.
45
LEGAL AND
FINANCIAL
DECISION
MAKING
47
7
LEGAL AND
FINANCIAL
DECISION MAKING
THINGS TO CONSIDER
The type of legal planning you need
depends on your financial situation, and
personal goals, as well as the involvement
of your family and other loved ones.
When deciding which types of legal and
financial planning you need, review your
finances. Ask yourself these questions:
Estate planning often seems daunting and
complicated. But good planning can prevent
problems and confusion later. This chapter
outlines key financial and legal tools
available when planning for what’s expected
to happen and, maybe more important,
what’s unexpected, including sudden illnesses,
accidents, or mental incapacity.
All adults have the right to manage their
own finances and make decisions about how
to spend their money. Problems may arise,
however, when someone becomes
incapacitated due to a stroke, an accident,
dementia, or another condition. A person is
considered incapacitated if he is unable to
manage his own personal care, property, or
finances and lacks the ability to understand
his actions when making a decision.
Planning for financial well-being in case
loved ones become unable to care for
themselves should begin sooner rather than
later. Let’s look at the various options to
consider, including Durable Power of
Attorney for Finances, joint bank accounts,
representative payee, wills, and trusts.
• Who would handle your finances if
you became incapacitated?
• Does anyone have the authority to
write checks for you?
• Who do you want to receive property
or money from you when you die?
• What kinds of funeral and burial
arrangements do you want?
Remember to discuss these arrangements
with your loved ones.
used to pay bills, manage bank accounts,
or handle other legal and financial matters.
With a durable power of attorney for
finances, all property remains under the
principal’s ownership. However, the agent may
act on the principal’s behalf. The document
may be used for a particular purpose, such
as paying bills only, or for general financial
management. The agent may have access
to bank accounts, stocks, retirement accounts,
and even the deed to the home.
Durable Power of Attorney
for Finances
A person of sound mind may complete a
Durable Power of Attorney for Finances. This
document allows an individual, the principal,
to appoint a trusted relative or friend to be an
agent. The agent can manage finances
immediately or at some future time. A durable
power of attorney for finances is generally
7 Legal and Financial Decision Making
With a durable power of attorney
for finances, all property remains
under the principal’s ownership.
48
Persons considering durable power of
attorney for finances should choose an agent
who is trustworthy, capable and knows them
well enough to be able to make decisions
according to their wishes. The agent has a
fiduciary duty and, as such, is responsible for
using the utmost care in handling the money
for the principal and must act in that person’s
best interest. Note that there is no court
oversight to ensure that the agent acts
responsibly or to prevent an abuse of power.
A durable power of attorney for finances
may take effect immediately or go into effect
only if the principal becomes incapacitated.
Individuals who want a durable power of
attorney for finances to take effect only if
they become incapacitated should create
what’s called a springing power of attorney
for finances.
A durable power of attorney for finances
may be revoked at any time. The principal
may revoke it by completing a revocation
of power of attorney form. This form must
be notarized. The completed revocation form
should be given to the prior agent as well
as the principal’s financial institutions. If the
individual has real property, he may choose
to record the revocation with the local
county recorder’s office. A power of attorney
for finances is automatically terminated
upon death.
Although an attorney isn’t needed to
complete a power of attorney for finances
document, individuals may wish to consult
an attorney to ensure that the form is valid
and meets all of their needs.
CAUTION:
Although durable powers of attorney are
effective planning tools, many seniors have
lost their their life saving to unscrupulous
agents. Choose your agent carefully.
Joint Bank Accounts
People who add a friend or family member
as a joint account holder to a bank account
should be aware that they’re giving an
ownership interest to the joint account
holder. Joint account holders have full
ownership rights in the account and can use
the money for themselves. Also, any liabilities
or judgments of the joint account holder
could be taken from the account.
Individuals who don’t want to give an
ownership interest in a bank account but do
want to give a family member access to the
account could fill out a power of attorney
card at the bank. This card grants the family
member access to the account and requires
them to use the money for meeting the main
account holder’s needs.
Representative Payee
A Representative Payee is a person
authorized to manage Social Security and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
Having a representative payee can be especially
helpful for people who struggle with keeping
track of monthly checks or taking care of other
business at the Social Security office.
A family member, an agent, or a healthcare
provider can ask to be a representative payee
49
ESTATE PLANNING
directly at the Social Security office. A
physician must verify the person’s incapacity,
and then Social Security will issue the
payment to the representative payee. The
representative payee must use the money
for the recipient’s care.
Like Social Security, the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) allows representative
payees to receive payments for an
incapacitated veteran.
The law provides a system for distributing
an estate when someone dies. The term estate
means all personal property, real estate,
money, stocks, and any other property owned
by a person at the time of death. If a
deceased person didn’t leave a will or trust,
the estate passes through something called
“intestate succession.”
In the intestate (pronounced in-TES-tayt)
succession process, a court distributes the
estate to the deceased person’s next of kin in
accordance with that state’s inheritance laws.
In California, the estate would go first to a
surviving spouse or registered domestic
partner, and then to any surviving children
or other next of kin. If there are no living
relatives and no will or trust, the estate
would go to the State of California.
Social Security and the VA
allow representative payees
for incapacitated adults
to receive payments.
Money Management
Money management programs are
important for elders and dependent adults
who need help managing bills and being
protected from financial abuse. Money
management programs offer representative
payee and bill-paying services. There are
also free money management programs for
low-income elders and dependent adults.
Senior center professionals, social workers
from Adult Protective Services (APS), as well
as AARP’s money management program can
help locate money managers. In addition, a
money manager can be hired at an hourly rate.
Contact the American Association of Daily
Money Managers for help in finding one.
Caregivers and patients should make sure
to check the person’s credentials through the
local Better Business Bureau and to ask for,
and then contact, their references.
Thoroughly review and discuss their fees
before agreeing to any services.
Probate
Probate is a court process in which a
person’s will is reviewed for its validity,
creditors are paid, and the balance of assets
are distributed to heirs. Although probate
is often talked about as a lengthy and
burdensome process, it does serve to protect
the interests of the deceased individual.
This process ensures the will is actually
carried out according to the wishes of the
deceased. If a person dies without a will,
a probate process ensures that the estate
is distributed to the next of kin according
to state law. In California, an estate worth
less than $100,000 can be settled quickly
and with little paperwork.
50
In California, an estate worth less
than $100,000 can be settled quickly
and with little paperwork.
Wills
A will is a legally binding document that
tells others how to distribute an estate when
a person dies. A will may also name a
person, called an executor, to oversee the
distribution of property and follow other
directions in the will. Instructions for burial
may also be included in a will.
Even for persons with few assets, a will can
be crucial. For example, wills can relay a
deceased person’s desire to give certain items
of personal property, often with sentimental
value, to chosen family members.
Naming an executor allows the person to
settle the estate more quickly, because the
executor will have legal authority to take
control of all property and accounts.
Writing a Will
In California, there are three basic types of
wills:
• handwritten will (also called
a holographic will)
individuals to make specific gifts of their
house, cars, and money, and then designate
one or more persons to receive the balance of
the estate.
People with large estates or who wish to
exclude certain family members from
inheritance, should consider creating an
attorney-drafted will. An attorney can help
draft a will that will stand up in court should
someone want to dispute or contest the will. In
addition, an attorney can write a will that can
• statutory will
• individual attorney-drafted will.
A handwritten will is a will that has been
written entirely by hand, dated and signed by
the person making the will, called the
testator, but not signed by witnesses.
Individuals with few assets may consider a
California Statutory Will. A California
Statutory Will is a simple form that allows
51
court may refuse to accept the will as valid.
California law requires that a typewritten or
printed will be signed by the person making the
will and by two witnesses. The witnesses
should not be people who would benefit from
the will. A handwritten (or holographic) will
doesn’t need witnesses, but it must be signed
and dated. A will may be changed by adding
an amendment or codicil. A will may also be
revoked by writing a new will.
Wills are legal documents
and must be executed properly.
Property Not Covered by a Will
or Probate
Some forms of property ownership are not
distributed by a will. Joint tenancies, life
insurance proceeds, and accounts with
payable on death beneficiaries are all
examples of property distributed outside of
the probate process. Some kinds of trusts also
skip the probate process.
Trusts
A trust is a legal entity that holds property.
The trustee manages the trust property for
a beneficiary. The trustee has a duty to the
trust and beneficiaries to make good business
decisions and protect the trust assets for the
beneficiaries. A trust may be created while
a person is still living or through a will.
The trust document states how the trust
should be managed and how or when income
and principal from the trust should be given
to the beneficiary. There can be more than
one trustee and more than one beneficiary.
do things a statutory will can’t, such as create
a trust or appoint more than one executor.
People who feel pressure from anyone about
whom to include in a will, should contact an
attorney to help them create the will that
fulfills their wishes exactly as they want.
Wills are legal documents and must be
executed properly. Otherwise, a California
52
substantial assets because those assets aren’t
taxed as extensively when the grantor dies.
This type of trust also avoids probate.
A testamentary trust is a trust created
through a will. It is often used when the
grantor doesn’t want the hassle of managing
a trust while still living but wants to create a
trust for minor children or just to have more
control over the distribution of assets. For
example, the trust document could specify
that the beneficiary receive income only for
certain purposes such as an education.
There are four basic types of trusts:
• revocable living trust
• irrevocable living trust
• testamentary trust
• special needs trust
A revocable living trust is a legal document
created by an individual (the grantor) to hold
and manage property for the beneficiary. This
trust can be revoked or changed at any time
as long as the grantor still has the mental
capacity to do so.
Assets placed in the trust are owned by the
trust and managed by the trustee. The trustee
may be the grantor, a family member, or an
organization such as a bank. The grantor
may name a successor trustee to manage the
trust should the original trustee become
incapacitated.
A living trust also avoids probate. Trust
assets are distributed to the beneficiaries,
according to the terms of the trust.
Distribution of assets through a trust is less
costly and less time consuming than probate.
Special Needs Trusts
A person who receives government benefits
such as SSI, can have very limited assets by
law. A special needs trust (SNT) holds assets
for the beneficiary so they still qualify for
benefits. The SNT is designed to pay for
things that Medi-Cal or SSI can’t pay for,
such as entertainment, travel, education, and
certain medical expenses. In a SNT, the
trustee has complete control over the
distribution of trust income, and the
beneficiary has no control.
Because of the complicated nature of all
trusts, individuals wishing to create one should
consult an attorney with specialized knowledge
of trusts. Note that trusts MAY NOT protect
assets from Medi-Cal recovery claims.
Assets placed in the trust
are owned by the trust
and managed by the trustee.
An irrevocable living trust is similar to a
revocable trust except that after it has been
created, an irrevocable trust can’t be changed
or revoked by the grantor. Irrevocable living
trusts are often used for people with
Individuals wishing to develop a
special needs trust should consult
an attorney to avoid losing
government benefits.
53
Conservatorship
over the Estate
conservatee and must act responsibly and
in the conservatee’s best interest.
A court oversees a conservatorship of the
estate to ensure that the conservator acts
properly. The court will generally require the
conservator of the estate to be bonded. Any
family member or friend desiring a
conservatorship should consult an attorney.
Some courts may have self-help clinics to
assist people without an attorney.
When no planning has been carried out and
a person lacks the capacity to make financial
and legal decisions, a conservatorship may be
necessary. Conservatorship is a probate court
process in which a judge appoints a person,
the conservator, to make decisions for the
incapacitated person, called the conservatee.
Depending on a person’s needs, a court may
appoint a conservator of the person, the
estate, or both.
A conservatorship is necessary when a
person can no longer handle personal or
financial affairs due to mental or physical
incapacity. A family member, friend, private
professional, or public guardian may act as a
conservator. A physician must determine that
the conservatee lacks the capacity to make
informed decisions.
A petition for conservatorship must explain
why a loved one lacks capacity, the reasons
for needing a conservatorship, and the areas
that the conservatorship should cover. The
conservator has a fiduciary duty to the
How Conservatorships
over the Estate Differ
from Powers of Attorney
for Finances
In powers of attorney for finances, an
individual chooses her agent, decides who
will make decisions for her, and tells the
agent what types of decisions to make.
She’s in control.
In a conservatorship, the judge chooses the
conservator and decides what types of
decisions the conservator can make. Ultimately,
the conservator is in control and is required to
act in the best interest of the conservatee.
54
Case Study
Esther and Frank: The Importance of Legal Planning
Esther and Frank have been married for five years. It is the second marriage for both.
Frank is hospitalized from a recent stroke and can’t talk or write. He has bank accounts
and stock accounts in his own name. His pension check is direct deposited to one of his
bank accounts. Frank is coming home and needs additional care.
Core Issues
How Esther can gain access to Frank’s income and assets so that she can pay for Frank’s
bills and care.
Steps to Resolution
Esther sought help at her local senior center, which referred her to an elder law attorney.
The elder law attorney interviewed Esther about her and Frank’s income, property, previous
estate planning, and care needs now and in the future. Because Frank didn’t have a power
of attorney, trust, or advance directive, the attorney advised Esther to petition the court for
conservatorship.
Follow-Up
The court made Esther the conservator over Frank’s person and estate because Frank was
totally incapacitated and could not make decisions or provide care for himself. Using the
conservatorship, Esther could access Frank’s bank account, so she could pay for his care,
and to make medical decisions for him.
The elder law attorney also did an estate plan for Esther and put her bank accounts and
property in a trust. He also created a will and powers of attorney for health care and
finances. Esther appointed her daughter as successor trustee and agent. This way, her
daughter would not have access to her assets now, but could immediately take over should
Esther become incapacitated.
Key Points
• Because Frank never completed a trust, advance directive or power of attorney while he
was well, Esther was forced to go to court to take over Frank’s finances.
• Esther took the opportunity to do some estate planning for herself and appointed her
daughter as her agent in case of her own incapacity.
55
Resources
Agencies
• American Association of Daily Money Managers: (703) 496-2913, www.aadmm.com
• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP): Provides legal advice on wills and other
estate planning documents, (888) 687-2277, www.aarp.org
• Bet Tzedek Legal Services: (323) 939-0506, www.bettzedek.org
• California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 474-1116,
www.canhr.org
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA): (520) 881-4005, www.naela.org
• Office of the Public Guardian of Los Angeles: (213) 974-0515
• Professional Fiduciary Association of California: (866) 886-7322, www.pfac-pro.org
• State Bar of California: Offers consumer pamphlets, including ones on wills, trusts, and
estate planning, (415) 538-2000 or the Senior Information Hotline at (888) 460-7364,
www.calbar.ca.gov
• California Probate Code Sections
n
Probate: PC§1800 and following
n
Trusts: PC§15000 and following
n
Wills: PC§6100 and following
n
Powers of Attorney: PC§4000 and following
n
Conservatorship: PC§1800 and following
n
Small Estates: PC§13100
56
RESOLVING
PROBLEMS
57
8
RESOLVING
PROBLEMS
Caregiving situations may be fraught with
emotions, and disputes are bound to arise.
This chapter looks at some of the more
common issues that may arise while caring
for a loved one, including family problems
and problems with home care providers.
FAMILY DISPUTES
Despite a family’s best intentions, caring for
a loved one can be an emotional task.
Families should try to unite to provide the
best possible care for their loved one.
Families should try to unite
to provide the best possible care
for their loved ones.
One way to avoid problems is to call a
family conference to discuss caregiving duties
and roles. Sometimes developing clear-cut
family roles can help everyone know what
they should do for the loved one. Having a
specific role can provide order and structure
to what outwardly seems chaotic. No one
should accept a caregiving role unwillingly.
Individuals who accept the role of caregiver
should feel free to request significant help
from family members inside and outside
the household.
Family conferences may also prove helpful
in sorting out the expectations of each family
member. Family conferences are also a good
way to make long term plans for a loved one,
share information and feelings, and plan
8 Resolving Problems
emergency or vacation backup for the
primary caregiver.
Family conferences may prove
helpful in sorting out the
expectations of each family member.
Family meetings can be awkward,
especially for people who haven’t talked
easily or openly about family matters.
Talking about feelings or the need for help
is difficult for many people. Caregivers who
think a family conference might be difficult
should consider inviting a neutral third party
to facilitate the family conference. This
person could be a social worker, therapist,
58
working together, without hard feelings.
Contact the local bar association to find
a mediator. Also, many city attorney offices
offer free mediation services. Caregivers
should make sure to ask whether they have
expertise in caregiving disputes.
clergy, care manager or a friend.
Community senior centers and Caregiver
Resource Centers offer a wide array of
services, including care managers, to help
families resolve problems involving a loved
one’s care.
If possible, all members of the family should
be invited to family conferences. Family
members who can’t attend a family conference
should be updated through e-mail or phone
calls. Sometimes it takes time for family
members to accept the deteriorating health
of a loved one. Having a family conference
can go a long way toward avoiding disputes
and getting help for the primary caregiver.
Problems with
Home Care Providers
Families entering into a home care service
agreement should review the service provider’s
contract and grievance policy. If problems
arise with a care worker, it’s important that
the employer provides a reliable grievance
policy that will help them handle concerns
quickly and responsibly.
If a problem arises, notify the employer and
begin following the grievance policy. Persons
who hire a private homecare worker may be
required to fulfill certain contractual and
legal obligations, such as providing notice
for termination of the employee and paying
worker’s compensation insurance.
If the issue is one of abuse or neglect,
remove the person immediately and notify
Adult Protective Services. (See Chapter 9,
page 62, for more information on Detecting
Elder Abuse and Neglect.)
Mediation
When families can’t reach agreement
through family conferences, they may turn
to outside help. Sometimes problems arise
when family members disagree about basic
decisions concerning a loved one’s care.
For instance, a family disagrees about where
Mom should live or how her finances should
be used for her care. Mediation, a type of
informal problem resolution, may prove
helpful in such situations.
Mediation involves the family meeting with
a trained mediator. The meetings are
confidential and are designed to resolve
differences rather than place blame on one
side or another. Mediation is unlike going to
court and is relatively inexpensive. This form
of problem solving is ideal for most family
caregiving issues because it encourages
positive and collective decision making
and is designed to help keep the family
USING THE COURTS
If problems with a hired worker can’t be
resolved, or, in extreme cases, a family can’t
resolve a dispute, a lawsuit may be the best
option. If the amount of money or damages
in question is under $5,000, individuals can
file a claim in a small claims court and
represent themselves.
59
expensive and time consuming. A case
resolved in the court system is binding
and enforceable.
However, legal representation may
be needed in the following instances:
• to enforce a contract
• if a care agency employee has injured
a loved one or caregiver
Litigation is a lengthy court process
in which judges and juries make
decisions under state law.
• if someone else is suing the caregiver
or family
County bar associations, as well as the
State Bar of California, offer lawyer referral
services. Legal aid organizations provide free
legal services for persons of low income.
Consult the local legal aid organization in the
phone book or contact the local bar
association for more guidance.
• if financial or physical elder
abuse occurs
The attorney will guide the individuals
involved through litigation, a lengthy court
process in which judges and juries make
decisions under state law. Litigation can be
Resources
Agencies
• Bet Tzedek Legal Services: 145 South Fairfax Avenue, Suite 200, Los Angeles, (323) 9390506; 12821 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood, (818) 769-0136; www.bettzedek.org
• California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR): (800) 474-1116; www.canhr.org
• California Courts Self-Help Centers: www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp
• Los Angeles County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Service: 261 South Figueroa, Suite
310, Los Angeles, (213) 896-6533
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA): (520) 881-4005; www.naela.org
• Office of the City Attorney Dispute Resolution Program: 222 South Hill Street, Suite 600,
Los Angeles, (213) 485-8324; [email protected]
• LA Caregiver Resource Center: (800) 540-4442; http://geroweb.usc.edu/lacrc
60
DETECTING AND
REPORTING
ELDER ABUSE
AND NEGLECT
61
9
DETECTING
AND REPORTING
ELDER ABUSE
AND NEGLECT
• emotional abuse
• neglect
• self-neglect
Elder and dependent adult abuse is a growing
problem. It is critical that caregivers, their
loved ones, and their family members learn
how to detect elder and dependent adult abuse,
so that problems can be quickly identified and
reported and then handled appropriately.
This chapter discusses physical and
emotional abuse, as well as various types of
financial abuse that rob seniors and dependent
adults of money and other possessions.
• financial exploitation.
Physical abuse includes physical and sexual
assault, unreasonable physical restraint,
prolonged deprivation of food and water
(unrelated to end-of-life health care decisions)
and the use of unauthorized or inappropriate
medication to subdue or alter a person’s
emotional state.
Emotional abuse includes verbal abuse,
infliction of emotional distress, isolation,
confinement, or refusal of emotional support.
Neglect includes failure to help an elder or
dependent adult with hygiene, to provide
shelter and clothing, medical care or food
and water, and to protect the elder or
dependent adult from safety hazards.
Self-neglect includes the inability to care for
oneself. The signs are lack of food, vermin
infestation, lack of hygiene and general self
disregard. Self-neglect may be a warning sign
that the elder needs more help in the home.
Warning signs of physical abuse and neglect
may include:
• unkempt or dirty physical appearance
ELDER AND
DEPENDENT
ADULT ABUSE
Under California law, elder and dependent
adult abuse is a crime and can lead to both
criminal and civil penalties. Elders and
dependent adults receive added protection
under the law because of the unique
vulnerability of the two populations. The law
provides for increased civil and criminal
penalties if the victim is an elder or
dependent adult.
An elder is someone aged 65 or older. A
dependent adult is any person aged 18 to 64
whose physical or mental limitations restrict
their ability to protect their rights or to
perform regular daily activities.
• matted hair
• unexplained injuries like sores or bruises
• burn marks
Spotting Abuse and Neglect
• malnutrition
The term elder and dependent adult abuse
covers:
• physical abuse
9 Detecting and Reporting Elder Abuse and Neglect
• marks on the body in the shape of an
object.
62
Another clear warning sign of any type of
abuse is isolation. Be wary of situations in
which elders or dependent adults are kept
isolated from family and friends, particularly
if they aren’t allowed out of the presence of a
particular caregiver or family member. The
elder or dependent adult should be allowed
to speak freely and have as much
independence as possible.
Be wary of situations in which
elders or dependent adults are kept
isolated from family and friends.
While the indicators above don’t necessarily
mean that the elder or dependent adult has
been abused, any of the signs should be fully
investigated. If the explanations of the
caregiver, family member, or service provider
aren’t adequate and there is a suspicion that
the loved one is being abused or neglected, it
should be reported immediately to Adult
Protective Services.
Financial abuse includes any type of theft or
embezzlement of money or property from the
elder or dependent adult. Types of financial
abuse can range from the theft of small
amounts of cash to tricking the elder or
dependent adult into transferring property to
another person. Signs of financial abuse are
similar to signs of emotional abuse and include
the abused adult’s acting withdrawn, confused,
forgetful, angry, depressed, or isolated.
Other signs of financial abuse include:
• unusual bank account activity
Signs of emotional abuse include the
person’s acting:
• withdrawn
• confused
• depressed
• angry
• frightened
• checks signed by the elder or dependent
adult who later can’t remember having
signed them
• secretive
63
report the abuse to APS. Individuals
reporting abuse are protected from criminal
and civil liability, and the reporter’s name
is kept confidential. It is also possible to
report anonymously.
• purchases that the person doesn’t want
or need
• lack of clean clothes or adequate food
• new friend who consumes much of the
person’s attention and offers to manage
money and assets.
Every county in California
has an APS office responsible
for investigating allegations of abuse
and arranging for appropriate
services for the elder
or dependent adult.
IMMEDIATE DANGER:
CALL 911
The Department of Aging, Long Term Care
Ombudsman is responsible for investigating
abuse that occurs in a long-term care facility,
such as a nursing home, assisted living
facility, board-and-care home, or similar
residential facility for elders or dependent
adults. Ombudsman services are free and
confidential.
The California Attorney General’s office
has a task force designed to combat and
prevent elder abuse. The task force specializes
in dealing with financial abuse and abuse in
nursing homes and other facilities.
Reporting Abuse and Neglect
Individuals who think a loved one is in
immediate danger should call 911. After the
loved one is safe, other options for help
should be considered. If abuse is suspected
but the loved one isn’t in immediate danger,
the abuse should be reported to Adult
Protective Services, local law enforcement,
or the State Attorney General.
Adult Protective Services (APS), part of the
California Department of Social Services, was
formed to help protect elders and dependent
adults from abuse in private homes, hotels,
hospitals, and health clinics.
Every county in California has an APS
office responsible for investigating allegations
of abuse and arranging for appropriate
services for the elder or dependent adult.
Services include: investigating elder abuse
reports, arranging for temporary shelter,
providing counseling and referral services and
consulting with other professionals.
Individuals who suspect that a loved one,
neighbor, or friend is being abused, should
Elder Abuse
Mandatory Reporting
State law requires that certain individuals
report suspected abuse to the appropriate
agency. Mandatory reporters include doctors,
nurses, social workers, and other health care
professionals, clergy (with some exceptions),
employees of health care facilities, bank
employees, and anyone who assumes the care
or custody of an elder or dependent adult.
64
Using the Courts
to Protect Elders
order. For more information, visit the
California Superior Court’s website at
www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/protection/
elder.htm.
Sometimes an elder or dependent adult
needs the added protection of a court, usually
in the form of a temporary restraining order
or conservatorship. In addition, California
law provides that an abused elder or
dependent adult can sue the abuser for civil
damages. Let’s examine each of these
protective resources.
Conservatorships
Conservatorships offer another way to
receive court protection. A court will appoint
a conservator for a person who cannot care
for himself and needs protection from an
abusive situation. Once a conservatorship
is in place, the conservator is responsible for
protecting the loved one from abuse, including
physical, emotional, and financial abuse.
Elder Abuse Temporary
Restraining Orders
Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs)
are court orders that temporarily require an
abusive person to stay away from the elder or
dependent adult, or else face arrest. An elder
or dependent adult can ask a judge for an
Elder Abuse TRO for physical abuse, neglect,
abandonment, isolation, kidnapping, refusal
of services, or the infliction of emotional
pain. The elder or dependent adult can ask
for a TRO, as can the person’s conservator or
court-appointed guardian. After a hearing,
the judge can be asked to make the TRO
permanent. If it becomes permanent, it will
stay in effect for three years.
Although a TRO is a legal protection that
police and sheriff’s officers must enforce, it
isn’t a guarantee the abuser will stay away.
In some instances, the TRO may anger the
abuser and escalate the situation. Applying for
a TRO should be considered very carefully.
To file a TRO, go to a courthouse in your
county and fill out forms EA-100 and EA-120.
The court clerk will make copies and provide
instructions on how to file the completed
forms, obtain a hearing and get a restraining
Elder Abuse Civil Protection Act
The Elder and Dependent Adult Civil
Protection Act (EDACPA) is a California
state law that allows elders, dependent
adults, and their conservators to sue abusers
for damages. Abusers can be sued for
physical and emotional abuse or neglect or
for financial abuse. The law provides for
damages plus reasonable attorney’s fees and
costs. The law also provides for pain and
suffering damages even after the elder’s or
dependent adult’s death. This helps prevent
abusers from escaping liability. Consult an
experienced attorney to file an elder abuse
case. The State Bar of California has an
attorney referral service for such purposes.
Scams Targeting the Elderly
Financial abusers can be family members,
caregivers, or complete strangers. There are
several prevalent schemes that target elders
and dependent adults for financial fraud and
theft of property or money, including
65
Take down the name and address of the
company or charity and ask someone to send
written materials about the offer or request.
Never send money
to someone who requests it
over the phone.
Then talk to trusted family members and
friends about the telemarketer’s offer. Call the
local Better Business Bureau or state licensing
agency to verify the telemarketing company.
Call the Attorney General’s Charity Registry
to verify a charitable organization. Get on
the National Do Not Call registry by
contacting the Federal Trade Commission.
Home improvement scams involve people
offering to do work on an individual’s home,
and then charging extremely high prices,
doing shoddy work, or not finishing the job
at all. Often these scammers claim to be
contractors with leftover materials from
another job and say that fixing the person’s
roof would be very cheap.
To avoid these scams, always obtain at
least two other bids from reputable
contractors and contact references before
hiring someone to work on your home.
Check to make sure the contractor is licensed
and no complaints are filed. In addition, be
sure to get everything in writing regarding
exactly what the contractor will do and how
much it will cost.
Home equity scams involve someone trying
to trick individuals into borrowing more
money than they can afford to repay and
then taking their homes when they default on
telemarketing scams, home improvement
scams, home equity fraud (predatory lending),
estate-planning scams, and identity theft.
Telemarketing scams involve someone who
claims to be an employee of a company or
charity and who calls to offer a chance of
winning a prize or to solicit funds for a
worthy cause. Some scams involve the
telemarketer wanting to sell something right
away at a discount, explaining that money
must be sent that same day. Other
telemarketing scams involve offering loans at
extremely low interest rates.
To protect against telemarketing fraud,
individuals should never send money to
someone who requests it over the phone.
66
the loan. To avoid these scams, homeowners
should be wary of any lender who offers a
loan based on their home’s equity instead of
their income, because they may not be able to
make the monthly payments. Be wary as well
of lenders who change terms at the last
minute, pressuring homeowners to sign right
away, repeatedly trying to refinance the loan,
adding credit insurance to the loan, or not
explaining all of the loan terms.
Individuals who think they’ve been a victim
of home equity fraud should contact a legal
aid organization, such as Bet Tzedek Legal
Services, or the Federal Trade Commission.
Estate planning scams involve people
posing as estate planning experts who offer
to create a revocable living trust. These
salespeople often aren’t lawyers and aren’t
authorized to create trusts or practice as an
estate planner. Many estate-planning
scammers try to sell annuities, using a
person’s savings, to become eligible for MediCal. These “trust-mill scams” should be
reported to the local District Attorney’s office
or the California Department of Insurance.
Identity theft is a growing problem
throughout the United States and can have
drastic effects on finances and credit rating.
Identity thieves steal bank account numbers,
Social Security numbers, credit card numbers,
and other personal information to obtain
access to an individual’s cash and credit.
To avoid identity theft, individuals should
always shred or tear up mail and other
papers containing personal information
before throwing them in the trash. People
should never give out personal information
to unsolicited callers, even if they claim to
be from the person’s bank or credit card
company. Reputable companies don’t call
their customers asking for such information.
Individuals who think they’ve been a victim
of identity theft should immediately contact the
credit agencies and ask them to put a fraud
alert on the credit report. If unauthorized
activity is noted on a bank account or credit
card, those companies should be notified
immediately to put a fraud alert on those
accounts. A complaint may also be filed with
the Federal Trade Commission, which uses an
Identity Theft Affidavit to notify all businesses
where the defrauded individual has an account.
Individuals may request a free credit report by
calling the Annual Credit Report Request
Service at (877) 322-8228.
CREDIT AGENCIES
!
Here’s a handy list of agencies that
provide fraud alerts and credit reports.
You might wish to clip this box and keep
it in a handy place.
Identity thieves steal bank account,
Social Security, and credit card
numbers to obtain access to an
individual’s cash and credit.
67
Agency
Fraud Alerts
Credit Reports
Equifax
(800) 525-6285
(800) 685-1111
Experian
(888) 397-3742
(888) 397-3742
Trans Union
(800) 680-7289
(800) 916-8800
Resources
Agencies
• Adult Protective Services: Los Angeles County Community and Senior Services,
(877) 477-3646 (hotline); (626) 579-6905 (direct); http://dcss.co.la.ca.us/APS/APS.htm
• Attorney General’s Charity Registry: (916) 445-9555, http://ag.ca.gov/charities
• Bet Tzedek Legal Services: 145 South Fairfax Avenue, Suite 200, Los Angeles,
(323) 939-0506; 12821 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood, (818) 769-0136;
www.bettzedek.org
• California Attorney General’s Office: (800) 952-5225; for telemarketing and mail fraud
• California Department of Consumer Affairs: (800) 952-5210; for license checks and
consumer complaints
• California Department of Insurance: (800) 927-HELP (4357), www.insurance.ca.gov
• California Superior Court: www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/; for help filing a TRO
• Contractors State Licensing Board: (800) 321-CSLB (2752), www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/
• Federal Trade Commission: (877) 438-4338 for identity theft and list of new scams
or (877) 382-4357 for consumer information and complaints; www.ftc.gov/
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Crisis Line: (800) 231-4024 to report abuse
at a facility
• National Do Not Call registry: (888) 382-1222, www.ftc.gov/
• National Fraud Information Center: (800) 876-7060, www.fraud.org/
• State Attorney’s Task Force on Elder Abuse: (800) 952-5225 to report suspected abuse
or financial scams; or (800) 722-0432 to report Medi-Cal provider fraud or elder abuse
in long-term facility
• State Bar of California: (866) 44-CA-LAW (22-529)
Print resources
• A Citizen’s Guide to Preventing and Reporting Elder Abuse: (916) 324-7863
or www.ag.ca.gov
• Legal Citations Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EDACPA),
Welfare and Institutions Code sections 15600 et seq
68
SUPPORTING
THE CAREGIVER
69
10
SUPPORTING
THE CAREGIVER
Caring for a loved one can be rewarding for
both the caregiver and elder or dependent
adult. However, caregiving can also be
physically and emotionally exhausting as well.
Caregivers may feel anger, resentment,
depression, exhaustion, and isolation. The keys
to successful caregiving include staying healthy,
maintaining autonomy and privacy, and having
support from family and friends.
This chapter discusses how to obtain
support for caregivers, how caregivers can
remain healthy, and how to make a transition
from home to an assisted living facility
or nursing home.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Caregivers and the people they care for
need the support of family and friends. One
of the first steps any caregiver should take
is to arrange a meeting with all family
members and friends willing and able to
participate in caregiving. The caregiver and
loved one should take inventory of the kinds
of help required and which friends and
family members can best provide it.
That help may include sharing caregiving
duties or providing financial support,
equipment, or certain skills. Caregivers must
avoid isolating themselves and the loved one
they care for. Support from family and
friends can drastically reduce the level
of physical, emotional, and financial stress
on the caregiver and their loved one. Some
people may want to seek the advice and
support of their clergy or congregation.
10 Supporting the Caregiver
Some people may want to seek
the advice and support
of their clergy or congregation.
SUPPORT GROUPS
In support groups, caregivers can learn
more about caregiving, share strategies,
resources, and learn how to deal with stress.
Support groups are offered through a variety
of agencies and organizations devoted to
caregiving for seniors and dependent adults.
Support groups are conducted in many
languages and are also available on
the internet.
California has many Caregiver Resource
Centers that serve countywide areas. These
centers focus on individuals with brain
impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease,
70
illness, lack of sleep, anxiety, isolation,
high levels of stress, depression, alcoholism,
or drug abuse.
Caregivers who have learned coping and
management skills tend to feel less stressed.
In addition, those who have family and
friends who visit and help out tend to feel
less anxiety, isolation, and depression.
stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and brain injuries
resulting from an accident. The Alzheimer’s
Association, hospitals, adult day care centers,
and senior centers also offer support groups.
CAREGIVER HEALTH
Caregiving is often associated with health
problems, including stress and depression.
Although caring for a loved one doesn’t cause
health problems itself, caregivers often feel
stressed and neglect their own health to take
care of a loved one. That can lead to frequent
Caregivers who have learned
coping and management skills
tend to feel less stressed.
CAREGIVER TIPS FOR REDUCING STRESS
reducing stress.
If you’re a caregiver, here are five steps you
can take to help reduce the stress of caring
for a loved one.
• Ask for support, and when offered,
accept it. Talking to family and friends
about caregiving is important. Take time
to socialize and talk about other things.
• Learn as much as possible about your
loved one’s illness. Knowing about the
illness helps you manage your loved
one’s care better because you’ll be more
aware of what happens during the
illness and why.
• Set aside time to relax, have fun, and get
away from caregiving. Remember that
wanting time for yourself or time away
from the caregiving situation doesn’t
mean that you’re a poor caregiver. Time
away from caregiving helps you stay
healthy and happy. It also allows your
loved one time to have a break too.
• Use respite care as often as possible to
take a break from caregiving duties.
Adult day care provides an opportunity
for a loved one to visit with peers. Your
loved one can attend an adult day care
center for activities during the day. Or
have friends and family visit with your
loved one while you take a break
outside of the home. Respite care
services can also be used for a few days
to allow time for the caregiver to visit
other family or take a short vacation.
• Take care of yourself physically.
Adequate sleep, exercise, and healthful
eating are all essential for maintaining
energy, warding off illnesses, and
71
or an ill immediate family member (spouse,
parent, or child). FMLA applies to all public
agencies (federal, state, and local) and private
companies with at least 50 employees. The
family member being cared for must have a
serious medical condition, and the employee
must have worked at the agency or company
for at least one year.
The Family and Medical Leave Act
requires employers to grant
up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave
to an employee who has to care
for a new child or an ill
immediate family member.
After the 12 weeks are over, the employee
is guaranteed to return to his old job or to a
different job at the same level and pay scale.
Because FMLA is a federal law, the term
spouse doesn’t include registered domestic
partners. The State of California’s family
leave law, however, does include registered
domestic partners and offers benefits similar
to those of the FMLA.
LAWS AND POLICIES
THAT HELP
CAREGIVERS
Paid Family Leave Program
Caregivers are often working full-time jobs
when the need for caregiving arises. Federal
and state laws, and now workplace policies,
help caregivers navigate work and caregiving
issues. Here’s a look at some of those laws
and policies.
California’s Paid Family Leave Program
pays workers up to 6 weeks of partial pay a
year when taking time off from work to care
for a new child or ill family member. Most
people receive just over half (55%) of their
usual pay, up to a maximum $840 per week,
while on leave.
The program is part of the State Disability
Insurance (SDI) program, and the benefits are
paid entirely by employees through payroll
deductions. The program pays benefits to the
Family and Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
is a federal law requiring employers to grant
up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to an
employee who has to care for a new child
72
caregiver while she takes family leave to care
for an ill spouse, domestic partner, child,
or parent. It also pays benefits for leave
due to a newborn child or new adoptive
or foster child.
When people decide to care for a loved
one, they should investigate employment laws
and rights that apply to caregivers, as well
as their own employer’s benefits and policies.
Caregivers should make a list of important
issues to discuss with their employer and try
to negotiate changes in their workload or
schedule, where appropriate. They should
also request access to any caregiving benefits
the employer provides.
Tax Deductions
Caregivers who pay for loved one’s bills and
expenses may be eligible for tax deductions
for caregiving. These bills can include nursing
home costs, doctor visits, caregiver expenses
and transportation. Consult a tax professional
for advice on these issues.
TRANSITIONS TO
OTHER PLACEMENT
Sometimes families decide that caregiving
at home is no longer an option. The current
caregiving situation may become
unmanageable for the caregiver, loved one,
and family. Making a decision to stop
caregiving in the home can be difficult,
but it may help prevent further problems.
California Property Tax
Postponement Program
California’s Property Tax Postponement
program allows caregivers to postpone
paying some or all property taxes until they
move from the home, sell the home, or die.
To be eligible, a caregiver must be 62 or
older, blind or disabled, and have an income
below $24,000 per year.
Individuals must also own and occupy the
property as their principal place of residence.
The State Controller’s office handles all
claims for property tax postponement.
Common reasons to make the transition
from home to an assisted living center or
nursing home include caregiver burnout,
safety of the caregiver or loved one, and
unavailability of a caregiver.
Making a decision to stop caregiving
in the home can be difficult, but it
may help prevent further problems.
Flexible workplace policies
Flexible workplace policies are becoming
more popular among employers and
employees. Flexible time allows workers to
modify typical work day hours or work from
home. Some workplaces also offer on-site
support groups and adult day care, leaves of
absence, and flexible spending accounts.
Flexible time policies can provide muchneeded support for caregivers.
Placement Options
There are several placement options
depending on the level of care the loved one
needs, including senior housing, retirement
communities, assisted living facilities and
skilled nursing facilities. Let’s look at them
one by one.
73
have full-time nurses and doctors
available to oversee care. Nursing homes
in California charge between $3500 and
$6000 monthly. Medicare pays for shortterm (100 days or less) nursing home
stays for patients requiring skilled nursing
care. Long Term Care Medi-Cal pays for
long-term stays in nursing homes. Long
term care insurance may also pay for
long-term nursing home stays. Nursing
homes also accept private pay patients.
Due to the high cost of nursing homes,
many people in nursing homes receive
Long Term Care Medi-Cal.
• Independent retirement communities and
senior housing may offer individual units
with group meals and social activities.
Non-profit groups and the Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) Authority
operate senior housing. Rent is calculated
on a sliding scale, based on the senior’s
income. Senior housing buildings also
provide housing to disabled persons
under age 65.
• Assisted living facilities provide
independent living environments with
supervision and non-medical care. These
facilities may be referred to as rest homes,
retirement homes, or board-and-care
homes. They’re usually private pay only,
with prices ranging from $1000 to $5000
per month. Some long-term care insurance
policies reimburse for assisted living. A
limited number of facilities accept persons
who receive Supplemental Security Income
(SSI). See Chapter 3, Financial Strategies
to Pay for Home Care, page 22, for more
information on SSI.
Assisted living facilities
provide independent living
environments with supervision
and non-medical care.
Both assisted living facilities and nursing
homes must be licensed by the State of
California. For more information on these
care facilities, order a copy of Bet Tzedek’s
guides “Assisted Living Companion” and
“Nursing Home Companion” by calling
(323) 939-0506 or online at
www.bettzedek.org.
• Skilled nursing homes provide medical
and nursing care, custodial care, and
24-hour supervision for residents in a
medical setting. Skilled nursing homes
74
Resources
Agencies
• California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform: (800) 474-1116; www.canhr.org
• California Paid Family Leave Program: (877) BE-THERE (23-84373)
• California Property Tax Postponement at State Controller’s Office: (800) 952-5661,
www.sco.ca.gov/col/taxinfo
• California State Franchise Tax Board: (800) 852-5711
• Employment Development Department, for information on state disability insurance:
(800) 480-3287
Print resources
• Assisted Living Companion and Nursing Home Companion, Bet Tzedek, (323) 549-5897,
www.bettzedek.org
Caregiver support
• Alzheimer’s Association: support groups at www.alz.org; (800) 272-3900 Help line
• Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving: online support groups at
www.caregiver.org
• Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center: 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
90089-0191; (800) 540-4442; http://geroweb.usc.edu/lacrc
• National Family Caregivers Association: (800) 896-3650, www.nfcacares.org
• California Coalition for Caregivers (advocacy group) (866) 448-3615
75
APPENDICES
77
APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY
Adult Day Care Center: a facility that
Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource
Center: a facility that specializes in
provides social and recreational activities and
sometimes basic medical care for the elderly
and disabled.
programs for persons with Alzheimer’s
disease or a related dementia and are
equipped to handle people who wander,
are incontinent or aggressive.
Adult Day Treatment Center:
a facility that provides social, recreational, and
basic medical and psychiatric care for people
with psychological or psychiatric problems.
Area Agency on Aging (AAA):
an agency that coordinates a wide array of
services to seniors and adults with disabilities
at the community level and serves as the focal
point for local aging concerns.
Adult Protective Services (APS):
a state agency that investigates and protects
elders and dependent adults from abuse in
private homes, hospitals, and health care
facilities.
Assets: the entire property owned by a
person; can include cash, stock, inventories,
property rights, and insurance policies.
Advanced Health Care Directive:
a legal document that allows individuals
to express their wishes about their future
health care.
Attorney-in-Fact: an agent who,
through a power of attorney, acts on behalf
of a patient and is legally allowed to make
decisions for that person.
Against Medical Advice: a form
signed by a patient that acknowledges that he
or she has decided to be discharged even
though the person has been told that doing
so may cause mental or physical harm.
Bond: a type of insurance policy that
compensates the consumer for theft or loss.
Caregiver Resource Center:
an organization that provides support,
information, and education to individuals
providing care to adults with brain
impairments due to disease or injury.
Aid Paid Pending: a term used to
indicate that Medi-Cal benefits continue
to be paid until the person receives a
state hearing.
Caregiver: an individual who cares for a
disabled, ill, or elderly person. Can be family,
a friend or a paid worker.
Alzheimer’s Association Safe
Return Program: a nationwide
identification system designed to assist in the
safe return of people who are cognitively
impaired and who become lost after
wandering away.
Glossary
78
Conservatorship: the process through
which a judge appoints a conservator to
make legal, financial, and/or health care
decisions for a conservatee.
Cash Assistance Program for
Immigrants (CAPI): a state program
that provides cash assistance to aged, blind,
or disabled immigrants with legal resident
status and low income.
Conservatorship Over the Estate:
Chore Worker: an individual who
a type of conservatorship that allows a
conservator to manage financial and legal
matters for a conservatee.
provides basic housekeeping services, such as
cleaning, cooking, and driving for the elderly
or disabled.
Conservatorship Over the
Person: a type of conservatorship that
Codicil: an amendment added to an
existing will.
allows a conservator to manage the
conservatee’s personal care, such as where the
person lives, and health care decisions.
Community Medi-Cal: a type of Medi-
Cal insurance designed to help those who live
in the community, either in their own home,
with family, in an assisted-living or boardand-care facility.
Curative Health Care: medical care
designed to cure or alleviate disease.
Dependent Adult: a person aged 18 to
Community Registry: a list of private
home care workers looking for employment;
usually maintained by home care agencies or
senior centers.
64 who has a physical or mental disability
that restricts the ability to protect his or her
rights or to perform regular daily activities.
Conservatee: a person whom a judge
Durable Power of Attorney for
Finances: a document that allows an
has decided is unable to handle his own
affairs and for whom a conservator has been
appointed.
individual to appoint a trusted relative or
friend, who can then manage the individual’s
finances immediately or at some future time.
Conservator: a person appointed by the
court to manage the affairs of an individual
who is not capable of managing his own
affairs.
79
Glossary
Fast-Track Appeals: a type of
Elder and Dependent Adult Civil
Protection Act: a California state law
Medicare appeal designed for people whose
health will be seriously injured if they don’t
receive requested medical treatment or for
individuals receiving services from a skilled
nursing facility, home health agency, or
outpatient rehabilitation facility.
that allows elders, dependent adults, and
their conservators to sue abusers for physical
and emotional abuse, neglect or financial
abuse.
Emergency Do Not Resuscitate
Order: a form that instructs paramedics or
Fiduciary Duty: a responsibility of an
other emergency medical services (EMS)
personnel to withhold emergency resuscitation.
agent to use utmost care in handling money
for an incapacitated person and
acting in that person’s best interest.
Emotional Abuse: a form of abuse that
File of Life Card: a card that lists
important medical information for quick
reference in an emergency. Paramedics are
trained to look for this card on the
refrigerator.
includes verbal abuse, infliction of emotional
distress, confinement, or refusal of emotional
support.
Employee Assistance Programs:
programs offered by some workplaces to
assist employees who are caregivers or
patients; may include counseling, legal
services, information and referrals.
Financial Abuse: a theft or embezzlement
of money or property from an elder or
dependent adult.
Equity: the difference between the amount
Flexible Time: a work program that
a person’s house is worth and the amount the
person owes for the house.
allows workers to modify typical workday
hours or work locations.
Estate: all personal property, real estate,
money, stocks, and any other property owned
by a person at the time of death.
Geriatric Assessment:
a comprehensive evaluation performed by a
multidisciplinary team used to develop a care
plan for therapy and long term follow up.
Executor: a individual named in a will to
oversee the distribution of property and
follow other directions in the will.
Geriatric Care Manager:
a professional with a specialized focus on
aging and elder care. They assist older adults
and their families in designing plans of care
to maximize independence and well being of
the older adult.
Family and Medical Leave Act
(FMLA): a federal law requiring certain
employers to grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid
leave to an employee who needs to care for a
new child or an ill family member.
Glossary
80
Geriatrician: a doctor who specializes
HUD (U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development): a federal
in the medical needs of older adults. A
geriatrician is an expert in dealing with
multiple medical problems and chronic
illnesses.
program whose mission is to increase
homeownership, support community
development and increase access to
affordable housing free from discrimination.
Grantor: a person who creates a trust.
Identity Theft Affidavit: a form
Handwritten Will: a legally valid will
developed by the Federal Trade Commission
that can be used to report identity theft to
financial institutions.
that has been written entirely by hand and
dated and signed by the person making the
will. No witnesses are required. Also called
a holographic will.
Identity Theft: the theft of Social
Security numbers, credit card numbers, or of
other personal information to obtain access
to an individual’s cash or credit.
Handyworker Program: a program
that offers free home repairs to low-income
seniors and disabled persons living in the
City of Los Angeles.
Incapacity: the lack of mental functioning
to understand one’s condition and the inability
to make informed decisions about one’s own
personal care, property or finances.
Health Maintenance Organization
(HMO): a managed care health plan that
requires patients to see a doctor within a
contracted HMO network.
In-Home Supportive Services
(IHSS): a state benefit that provides home
handwritten will.
care to individuals who live at home and
need help with some daily activities, such as
bathing, dressing, toileting, or housecleaning.
Home Secure: a program that offers free
home assessment and home modifications to
low-income seniors and disabled persons
living in the City of Los Angeles.
Integrated Care Management
Program (ICMP): a state benefit that
Holographic Will: another name for a
provides care managers for elderly or
disabled persons to help them through times
of crises, regardless of income.
Hospice: a program that provides comfort
care for terminally ill patients in a health care
facility or the patient’s home.
Intestate Succession:
the distribution of an estate to a deceased
person’s next of kin in accordance with state
inheritance laws, used when no will exists.
81
Glossary
Irrevocable Living Trust: a trust
Medicare: a federal government
created while a person is living and has
the ability to make decisions about property
and money and that cannot be changed
or revoked.
sponsored health insurance program,
generally reserved for the elderly and
disabled.
Medicare Summary Notice:
Liquid Assets: property that can be
readily converted to cash, such as bank
accounts, stocks, and certain investments.
a Medicare document used to explain the
reason for benefits provided or denied and
details how to appeal the decision.
Litigation: a court process in which judges
Medigap Policy: a private health
and juries make decisions under state or
federal law.
insurance policy designed to supplement
Medicare coverage.
Long Term Care Medi-Cal: an
Multi-Purpose Senior Services
Program (MSSP): a program that
insurance program in California that pays for
care in a nursing home.
provides social and health care management
for frail, elderly persons who wish to live at
home instead of a nursing home.
Mandatory Reporter: an individual
required by state law to report suspected
abuse; includes doctors, nurses, social
workers, and other health care professionals;
clergy, with some exceptions; employees of
health care facilities; bank employees; and
anyone who assumes the care or custody of
an elder or dependent adult.
Neglect: Failure to adequately assist an
elder or dependent adult with personal
hygiene, or to provide food, clothing, shelter
or needed medical care.
Notice of Action: a letter sent by MediCal informing the recipient of a change in
benefits and explaining appeal rights.
Mediation: a form of informal problem
resolution.
PACE: Program of All-Inclusive Care for
Medi-Cal: a California state insurance
the Elderly. A Medi-Cal program which
provides comprehensive care for older adults
who require nursing home care but wish to
stay at home.
program that provides vital health and longterm care coverage for low-income children,
their parents, elderly, and disabled
Californians.
Glossary
82
Paid Family Leave Program:
Probate: a court process in which a
a California program that pays workers up
to 6 weeks of partial pay a year when taking
time off from work to care for a new child or
ill family member.
person’s will is reviewed for its validity,
creditors are paid, and the balance of assets
are distributed to heirs.
Property Tax Postponement:
Palliative Care: comfort care provided
a state program that allows low-income
individuals to postpone paying some or
all of their property taxes until they move,
sell the home, or die.
to a terminally ill individual.
Payable on Death Beneficiary:
a bank account designation which transfers
assets on death to a designated beneficiary.
Does not go through the probate process.
of law.
Protective Supervision: an IHSS
benefit to protect individuals who have
mental impairments and who need to be
watched 24 hours a day, to ensure their
safety.
Physical Abuse: physical or sexual
Representative Payee: a person
assault, unreasonable physical restraint,
prolonged deprivation of food and water
(unrelated to end-of-life health care
decisions), or the use of unauthorized or
inappropriate medication to subdue or alter a
person’s emotional state.
authorized to manage Social Security,
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or
Veteran’s Administration checks for another
individual.
Petition: to make a request of a court
Request for Hearing: a form used to
appeal a Medi-Cal decision.
Power of Attorney for Health
Care and Health Care
Instruction: a form in which a person
Respite Care: refers to temporary relief
for caregivers caring for someone who is ill,
injured or frail. Respite care can be provided
in an adult day care center, the home, or
other settings.
appoints an agent to make health care
decisions should the person become
incapacitated.
Principal: the person who creates a power
of attorney and names an agent.
Reverse Mortgage: a type of home
loan the borrower does not have to repay as
long as she lives in the home.
Private Home Care Agency: an
Revocable Living Trust: a trust
agency that provides home care workers at
an hourly rate.
created while a person is still living and has
the ability to make decisions about property
and money. Can be revoked or changed prior
to a person’s death or incapacity.
83
Glossary
Right of Survivorship: ownership
Supplemental Security Income
(SSI): a federal Social Security program
rights in joint tenancy property in which the
survivor owns the entire account or property
on the death of the joint owner. Does not go
through probate.
that gives additional income to seniors and
disabled people who live below the poverty
line.
Self-Neglect: a person who endangers
Support Group: a group of people,
himself by failing to adequately care for
himself.
sometimes led by a therapist, who provide
each other with moral support, information,
and advice on problems relating a shared
experience, such as caregiving.
Senior Center: a community center that
provides activities, meals, limited health
monitoring, transportation, and social
services to seniors.
Testamentary Trust: a trust created
through a will which must go through the
probate process.
Skilled Care: health care provided by a
professional, such as a doctor, nurse,
therapist, social worker, or counselor.
Testator: an individual who creates a will.
Trust: a legal entity that holds property.
Special Needs Trust: a type of trust in
which a trustee has complete control over the
distribution of trust income and the
beneficiary has no control. Commonly used
for developmentally disabled individuals
receiving SSI or Medi-Cal.
Trustee: an individual who manages trust
State Disability Insurance:
Will: a legally binding document that directs
a California state program that provides
disabled persons up to one year of partial
wages if unable to work due to disability.
how a person’s estate will be distributed on
death.
property for a beneficiary and who holds a
duty to the trust and beneficiary to make
good business decisions and protect the trust
assets.
Statutory Will: in California, a simple
Worker’s Compensation
Insurance: a program that provides
“fill in the blanks” will used for people with
relatively small estates.
medical insurance and disability benefits for
people who are injured on the job.
Glossary
84
APPENDIX B: MSSP SITES
This table, adapted from the California Department of Aging, shows Multipurpose Senior
Services Program agencies and contact information, county-by-county. Information can also be
obtained by calling the California Department of Aging at (800) 510-2020.
County
Agency
Phone
Alameda
City of Oakland Department of Human Services
(City of Oakland only)
City of Fremont Human Services Department
(510) 238-3762
(510) 574-2050
Alpine
Area 12 Agency on Aging
(209) 532-6272
Amador
(209) 532-6272
Butte
California State University—Chico
(530) 898-5082
Calaveras
(209) 532-6272
Contra Costa
Office on Aging
(925) 335-8710
El Dorado
Department of Human Services
(530) 621-6300
Fresno
Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging
(559) 453-6494
Glenn
(530) 898-5082
Humboldt
Humboldt Senior Resource Center
(707) 443-9747
Imperial
Work Training Center, Inc.
(760) 352-6181
Inyo
Inyo-Mono Area Agency on Aging
(760) 873-6364
Kern
Aging and Adult Services
(661) 868-1095
Kings
Kings-Tulare Area Agency on Aging
(559) 730-9921
Lake
Community Care Management Corp.
(707) 995-7010
Lassen
Golden Umbrella
(530) 226-3097
Los Angeles City
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles
SCAN Independence at Home
(323) 937-5930
(562) 492-9878
85
MSSP Sites
(continued)
County
Agency
Phone
Los Angeles City/County Altamed Health Services Corp.
(323) 889-7862
Los Angeles
Huntington Hospital
Human Services Association
Partners in Care Foundation
Partners in Care Foundation-South
(626)
(562)
(818)
(310)
Madera
Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging
(559) 453-6494
Marin
Jewish Family and Children Services
(415) 491-7960
Mariposa
(209) 532-6272
Mendocino
Community Care Management Corp.—Ukiah
(707) 468-9347
Community Care Management Corp.—Fort Bragg (707) 964-4027
Merced
Human Services Agency
(209) 385-3000
Modoc
Golden Umbrella
(530) 226-3097
Mono
Inyo-Mono Area Agency on Aging
(760) 873-6364
Monterey
Department of Social and Employment Services
(831) 755-3403
Napa
Area Agency on Aging
(707) 644-6612
Orange
Social Services Agency
(714) 825-3000
Orange
CalOptima
(888) 587-8088 or
(714) 246-8400
Placer
UC Davis Care Management
(916) 734-5432
Riverside
Office on Aging
(951) 697-4697
Sacramento
(916) 734-5432
San Bernardino
Aging and Adult Services
(909) 891-9019
San Diego
Aging and Independent Services
(800) 339-4661 or
(800) 510-2020
San Francisco
Institute on Aging
(415) 750-4150
MSSP Sites
86
397-3110
806-5400
526-1780
632-9980
(continued)
County
Agency
Phone
San Joaquin
Department of Aging
(209) 468-2202
San Mateo
Department of Health Services
(650) 573-3900
Santa Barbara
MSSP Unit
(805) 346-8385
Santa Clara
Council on Aging of Silicon Valley
(408) 296-8290
Santa Cruz
Human Resources Agency
(831) 454-4600
Shasta
Golden Umbrella
(530) 226-3097
Siskiyou
Golden Umbrella
(530) 226-3097
Solano
(707) 643-5170
Sonoma
(707) 565-5970
Stanislaus
Department of Social Services
(209) 558-2233
Tehama
(530) 898-5082
Trinity
Golden Umbrella
(530) 226-3097
Tulare
Kings-Tulare Area Agency on Aging
(559) 730-9921
Tuolumne
(209) 532-6272
Ventura
(805) 477-7300
Yolo
(916) 734-5432
Yuba
Health and Human Services
(530) 749-6775
87
MSSP Sites
APPENDIX C: PACE PROGRAMS
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) centers can currently be found only
through these agencies.
• On Lok Senior Health Services
1333 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 292-8888
www.onlok.org
• Sutter SeniorCare
1234 U Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 446-3100
http://suttermedicalcenter.org/services/senior_seniorcare.html
• AltaMed Senior BuenaCare
5425 East Pomona Boulevard
(323) 728-0411
www.altamed.org
• Center for Elders’ Independence
1955 San Pablo Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 433-1150
www.cei.elders.org
PACE Programs
88
APPENDIX D: CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTERS
Family Caregiver Alliance
Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center
Bay Area Caregiver Resource Center
Statewide Resources Consultant
180 Montgomery Street
Suite 1100
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 434-3388 or
(800) 445-8106
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.caregiver.org
Counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin,
San Francisco, San Mateo, and
Santa Clara
5723A Marconi Avenue
Carmichael, CA 95608
(916) 971-0893 or
(800) 635-0220 (regional)
Website: www.deloro.org
Counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa,
El Dorado, Nevada, Place,
Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra,
Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba
Inland Caregiver Resource Center
1420 East Cooley Drive
Suite 100
Colton, CA 92324
(909) 514-1404 or
(800) 675-6694 (CA)
Website: www.inlandcaregivers.com
Counties: Inyo, Mono, Riverside,
and San Bernardino
Coast Caregiver Resource Center
5350 Hollister Avenue
Suite C
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 967-0220 or
(800) 443-1236 (regional)
Website: www.coastcrc.org
Counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara,
and Ventura
Los Angeles Caregiver
Resource Center
3715 McClintock Avenue
(213) 821-7777 or
(800) 540-4442 (CA)
Website: www.losangelescrc.org
County: Los Angeles
Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center
736 Chestnut Street
Suite F
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-6639 or
(800 624-8304 (regional)
Website: www.hpcn.org/delmar
Counties: Monterey, San Benito,
and Santa Cruz
89
Caregiver Resource Centers
APPENDIX D: CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTERS
(continued)
Mountain Caregiver
Resource Center
Southern Caregiver
Resource Center
2491 Carmichael Drive
Suite 400
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 898-5925 or
(800) 822-0109 (regional)
Email: [email protected]
Website:
www.caregiverresources.org/MCRC_home
Counties: Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc,
Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama,
and Trinity
3675 Ruffin Road
Suite 230
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 268-4432 or
(800) 827-1008 (CA)
Website: www.scrc.signonsandiego.com
Counties: Imperial and San Diego
Valley Caregiver Resource Center
3845 North Clark Street
Suite 201
Fresno, CA 93726
(559) 22-9254 or
(800) 541-8614 (regional)
Counties: Fresno, Ken, Kings, Madera,
Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus,
Tulare and Tuolumne
Orange Caregiver Resource Center
251 East Imperial Highway
Suite 460
Fullerton, CA 92835
(714) 578-8670 or
(800) 543-8312 (CA)
Website: www.caregiveroc.org
County: Orange
Redwood Caregiver
Resource Center
141 Stony Circle
Suite 200
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 542-0282 or
(800) 834-1636 (regional)
E-mail:[email protected]
Counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake,
Mendocino, Napa, Solano,
and Sonoma
Caregiver Resource Centers
90
INDEX
Conservatee, 79
Conservator, candidate for, 44, 79
Conservatorship, 43-44, 79
over estate, 54, 79
over the person, 79
as protective measure, 65
vs. advanced health care directives, 44
Credit reports, agencies that provide, 67
A–B
Adult day care centers, 4-5, 78
Medi-Cal and, 14
Adult day health care centers, 5
Adult day treatment centers, 5, 78
Adult Protective Services, 64, 78
Advanced health care directives, 40-42, 78
appointing agent for, 41
completing forms for, 42
do-it-yourself, 41
giving agent specific instructions for, 41-42
health care instruction only and, 42
vs. conservatorships, 44
when effect of, begins, 43
Against medical advice, 78
Aid paid pending, 78
Medi-Cal appeal and, 16
Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program, 78
Alzheimer’s day care resource centers, 5, 6, 78
Area Agency on Aging, 78
Assisted living facilities, 74
Attorney-drafted will, 51-52
Attorney-in-fact, 78
D
Dependent adult, 79
Dependent adult abuse, 62-67
conditions that constitute, 62
protecting dependent adults from, 65-67
reporting, 64
warning signs of, 62-64
Discharge planners, role of, 35
Do Not Resuscitate orders, 42, 43
Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, 48-49, 79
vs. conservatorships over estate, 54
E
Elder abuse and neglect, 62-67
conditions that constitute, 62
protecting elders from, 65-67
reporting, 64
warning signs of, 62-64
Elder Abuse Temporary Restraining Orders, 65
Elder and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, 65, 80
Emergency alert response systems, 33
Emergency Do Not Resuscitate form, 42, 43, 80
Emotional abuse, 62
signs of, 63
Employee assistance programs, 34, 80
Estate claims, Medi-Cal and, 17
Estate planning, 50-54
Estate planning scams, elders and, 67
Executor, 80
Expenses, reducing, 22
C
California Property Tax Postponement Program, 23-24
CAPI, 25, 79
Caregiver, 78
discontinuing home care and, 73-74
education and training for, 33
family and friends as support source for, 70
health problems associated with, 71
law and policies that can help, 72-73
resource center for, 78, 89-90
stress-reducing tips for, 71
support groups for, 70-71
Care managers, role of, 36-37
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, 25, 79
Chore workers, 4, 79
Codicil, 79
Community Medi-Cal, 79
Community registry of home care workers, 30
F
Family disputes, resolving, 58-59
91
Index
INDEX
tips for hiring, 29
Home equity line of credit, 22-23
Home equity loan, 22
Home equity scams, elders and, 66-67
Home health agencies, 28
choosing, 29
Home improvement scams, elders and, 66
Home safety precautions, 32
Home sale, 24
Home Secure program, 32, 81
Hospice care, 4, 81
Medi-Cal and, 14
Medicare and, 11
Family Medical Leave Act, 3, 72, 80
Fast-track Medicare appeal, 12, 80
File of Life Card, 33, 80
Financial abuse, 63, 80
signs of, 63-64
Financial decision making, 48-54
Financial documents, organizing, 33, 34
Fraud alerts, agencies that provide, 67
G
Geriatric care managers, role of, 36-37, 80
Geriatricians, role of, 35-36, 81
Grants for home care, 22
H
Handwritten will, 51, 81
Handyworker Program, 25, 81
Health care decision making, 40-44
informal, 43-44
Health care documents, organizing, 33, 34
Health care instruction, 40, 41, 42, 83
Health maintenance organization, 81
Medicare and, 11
Holographic will, 51, 81
Home care
assessing loved one’s needs and, 2-3
average costs of, 10
discontinuing, 73-74
financial strategies to pay for, 22-25
grants for, 22
hospice care and, 4
improving quality of, 32-37
loans for, 22
Medi-Cal and, 13-16
Medicare and, 10-12
as option, 3
providers of, 3-4, 28-30
research studies and, 37
Home care agencies, 28-29
choosing, 29
Home care providers, resolving problems with, 59
Home care workers
how to find, 28-30
licensing and certification of, 30
Index
I
Identity theft, elders and, 67, 81
Independent retirement communities, 74
In-Home Supportive Services, Medi-Cal and, 14, 81
Integrated Care Management Program, 37, 81
Intestate succession, 50, 81
Irrevocable living trust, 53, 82
J–K
Joint bank accounts, 49
L
Legal decision making, 48-54
Legal planning, considerations for, 48
Legal representation, need for, 60
Lifeline as emergency alert response system, 33
Litigation, problem resolution and, 59-60, 82
Loans for home care, 22
Long term care, Medi-Cal and, 13, 82
Long term care insurance, 17
Loved one
assessing needs of, 2-3
home care as option for, 3-4
time off from work to care for, 3
M
Managed care, Medicare and, 11
Mandatory reporting of elder abuse, 64, 82
Mediation of family disputes, 59, 82
Medi-Cal, 13, 82
92
INDEX
appealing decision of, 16-17
eligibility for, 13
estate claims and, 17
home care services and, 13-16
long term care and, 13
Medicare, 82
appealing decision of, 12
benefits provided by, 10
eligibility for, 10-11
HMOs and, 11
home healh services and, 11
summary notice from, 12, 82
supplementing coverage of, 11-12
Medigap, 11-12, 82
Money management programs, 50
Multi-purpose Senior Services Program, 82
county-by-county contact information for, 85-87
Institutional Deeming Waiver and, 16
Medi-Cal and, 15-16
R
Representative payee, 49-50, 83
Request for Hearing, Medi-Cal appeal and, 16
Research studies, home care improvement and, 37
Respite care, 71, 83
Reverse mortgages, 23, 83
Revocable living trust, 53, 83
N
Neglect, 62, 82
warning signs of, 62
Non-medical services, 4
Notice of Action, Medi-Cal appeal and, 16, 82
T–U
Tax deductions, caregiver and, 73
Telemarketing scams, elders and, 66
Temporary Restraining Orders, 65
Testamentary trust, 53, 84
Trustee, 84
Trusts, 52-53
special needs, 53
types of, 53
S
Scams, elders as targets for, 65-67
Self-neglect, 62, 84
Senior centers, 5, 84
Senior housing, 74
Skilled care, 11, 84
Skilled nursing homes, 74
Special needs trust, 53, 84
State disability insurance, 84
Statutory will, 51, 84
Supplemental Security Income, 24-25, 84
P–Q
PACE, 16, 82
Paid Family Leave Program, 3, 72-73, 83
Palliative care, 4, 83
Physical abuse, 62, 83
warning signs of, 62
Placement options, 73-74
Power of attorney for health care, 40, 41, 83
Primary care physicians, role of, 34-35
Private home care workers, 4, 29, 83
Probate, 50, 83
property not covered by, 52
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, 16, 82
contact agencies for, 88
Property Tax Postponement Program, 73, 83
Protection of elders by court, 65-67
Public benefits, eligibility for, 24
V
Veteran’s benefits, 18, 25
W–Z
Waiver programs, Medi-Cal and, 14-15, 16
Wills, 51-52, 84
property not covered by, 52
types of, 51-52
Worker’s compensation, 17-18, 84
Workplace policies, 73
93
Index
OUR MISSION
Bet Tzedek, The House of Justice, provides free legal assistance to thousands of people
who would otherwise be denied access to the legal system underpinning our democracy.
Bet Tzedek was founded in 1974 by a few individuals who sought to act upon a central tenet
of Jewish law and tradition, which appears in the Bible: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof—Justice, justice
you shall pursue.” This doctrine decrees that it is the duty of all men and women to advocate
the just causes of the poor and helpless.
Although Bet Tzedek remains intent on ensuring that the legal needs of the Jewish poor are met,
we recognize that it is our duty to serve the entire community. For this reason, Bet Tzedek has
always provided assistance to all eligible needy residents of Los Angeles County, regardless of
their racial, religious or ethnic background.
Indeed, at The House of Justice, we believe that all of the groups in our wonderfully diverse
society are strengthened when bridges are built that bring us together in a common, just cause.
For the people who are Bet Tzedek—the lawyers and non-lawyers, staff members and volunteers,
contributors and clients—our mission, therefore, is to pursue equal justice for all.
94
Bet Tzedek gratefully acknowledges the
City of Los Angeles Department of Aging
for funding this publication.
Bet Tzedek is an agency of the United Way and of
the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Los Angeles, CA
Permit No. 35915
145 South Fairfax Ave.
Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA
90036-2166
www.bettzedek.org

The Caregiver Companion

Transcription

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